Which surname would be filed first among Pittman, Phillips, Pham, and Phipps?

Which surname would be filed first among Pittman, Phillips, Pham, and Phipps?

• A. Pittman
• B. Phillips
• C. Pham
• D. Phipps

Answer: (C)

When filing by surname, you sort alphabetically from left to right. All four names start with the letter P, so the next step is the second letter. Pittman has I as the second letter, while Phillips, Pham, and Phipps have H as the second letter. Since H comes earlier in the alphabet than I, those three with Ph come before Pittman. Among the names starting with Ph, look at the third letter. Pham has A, while Phillips and Phipps have I as the third letter. A comes earlier than I, so Pham would come before Phillips and Phipps. Therefore Pham is the first surname to be filed.

When filing by surname, you sort alphabetically from left to right. All four names start with the letter P, so the next step is the second letter.

Pittman has I as the second letter, while Phillips, Pham, and Phipps have H as the second letter. Since H comes earlier in the alphabet than I, those three with Ph come before Pittman.

Among the names starting with Ph, look at the third letter. Pham has A, while Phillips and Phipps have I as the third letter. A comes earlier than I, so Pham would come before Phillips and Phipps.

Therefore Pham is the first surname to be filed.