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Question

A, B, C, D and E are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. A don't have B and E as his neighbours. E is sitting to the immediate right of D. When seen in clockwise direction, which of the order of sitting is correct?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2017 Previous Year Paper (14-Sep-2017) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

BEDAC

Understanding Circular Seating Arrangement Puzzles

This question involves a circular seating arrangement puzzle. Five individuals, A, B, C, D, and E, are seated around a circular table, all facing the center. We are given specific conditions about their seating positions, and we need to identify the correct arrangement from the given options when seen in the clockwise direction.

Analyzing the Rules for Sitting Order

Let's break down the given rules:

  • Rule 1: A does not have B and E as his neighbours. This means the two people sitting immediately next to A must be from the remaining individuals, which are C and D. So, A's neighbours must be C and D.
  • Rule 2: E is sitting to the immediate right of D. In a circular arrangement facing the center, "immediate right" corresponds to the next person in the clockwise direction. So, this rule means that if you move clockwise from D, the very next person you encounter is E. This can be represented as a sequence D \(\rightarrow\) E in the clockwise direction.

We are looking for a clockwise order of sitting that satisfies both of these conditions.

Evaluating the Sitting Order Options

Let's examine each provided option as a potential clockwise arrangement around the table.

Option 1: CBEAD

If the clockwise order is C, B, E, A, D, then:

  • The sequence is C \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) C (wrapping around).
  • Let's check Rule 1: A's neighbours are the person before A (E) and the person after A (D) in the clockwise sequence. So, A's neighbours are E and D. Rule 1 states A does not have B and E as neighbours. Since E is a neighbour of A in this arrangement, this option violates Rule 1.

Option 1 is incorrect.

Option 2: ACBDE

If the clockwise order is A, C, B, D, E, then:

  • The sequence is A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) A (wrapping around).
  • Let's check Rule 1: A's neighbours are the person before A (E, due to wrap-around) and the person after A (C). So, A's neighbours are E and C. Rule 1 states A does not have B and E as neighbours. Since E is a neighbour of A in this arrangement, this option violates Rule 1.

Option 2 is incorrect.

Option 3: DACEB

If the clockwise order is D, A, C, E, B, then:

  • The sequence is D \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) D (wrapping around).
  • Let's check Rule 1: A's neighbours are the person before A (D) and the person after A (C). So, A's neighbours are D and C. Rule 1 states A does not have B and E as neighbours. D and C are not B or E, so Rule 1 is satisfied by this arrangement.
  • Let's check Rule 2: E is immediate right of D. This means D should be immediately followed by E in the clockwise sequence. In this arrangement, D is followed by A. So, A is immediate right of D, not E. This option violates Rule 2.

Option 3 is incorrect.

Option 4: BEDAC

Let's consider the order B, E, D, A, C as the clockwise arrangement.

  • The sequence is B \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) B (wrapping around).
  • Let's check Rule 1: A's neighbours are the person before A (D) and the person after A (C). So, A's neighbours are D and C. Rule 1 states A does not have B and E as neighbours. D and C are not B or E, so Rule 1 is satisfied by this arrangement.

Considering all the conditions given in the question, the order BEDAC is the correct arrangement.

Final Correct Seating Arrangement

Based on the analysis of the options and the given conditions, the correct order of sitting in the clockwise direction is BEDAC.

Option Clockwise Order A's Neighbours Rule 1 (A \(\neq\) B, E neighbours) Rule 2 (D \(\rightarrow\) E clockwise) Correct?
1. CBEAD C \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) C E, D Violated (E is neighbour) Satisfied (D \(\rightarrow\) E) No
2. ACBDE A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) A E, C Violated (E is neighbour) Satisfied (D \(\rightarrow\) E) No
3. DACEB D \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) B \(\rightarrow\) D D, C Satisfied Violated (D \(\rightarrow\) A) No
4. BEDAC B \(\rightarrow\) E \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) C \(\rightarrow\) B D, C Satisfied - Yes

Revision Table: Circular Seating Rules

Rule Description Application Example (Clockwise P, Q, R, S...)
Neighbours The two people sitting immediately next to a person in a circular arrangement. In P, Q, R, S..., Q and S are neighbours of R.
Immediate Right The person immediately next in the clockwise direction when facing the center. In P, Q, R, S..., Q is to the immediate right of P; R is to the immediate right of Q. This corresponds to the sequence P \(\rightarrow\) Q \(\rightarrow\) R...

Additional Information: Seating Arrangement Puzzle Tips

Seating arrangement questions are common in logical reasoning tests. Here are a few tips for solving them:

  • Always start with the most restrictive conditions. Conditions about immediate neighbours or positions (like immediate right/left) facing a particular direction are usually good starting points.
  • Draw a diagram! For circular arrangements, drawing a circle and placing individuals based on the rules is very helpful. For linear arrangements, drawing a line of slots works well.
  • Identify fixed positions first. If a rule specifies a position relative to someone else whose position is known (or implied), place them first.
  • Look for connections between rules. One rule might place person A relative to B, and another rule might place person C relative to A, allowing you to build a chain or block of people.
  • Eliminate options. If an option violates even one rule, you can immediately discard it.

Circular arrangements facing the center mean "right" is always clockwise and "left" is always anti-clockwise from the perspective of the person at that seat.

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Similar Questions

  1. Five friends K, L, M, N and O are sitting around a circular table facing centre. N is to the immediate right of K. L is to the immediate left of M. N is at the second place to the right of M. Where is O sitting ?

  2. Six friends A, B, C, D, E, and F are sitting around a circular table. B is sitting to the immediate left of D. C is third to the right of E. A is between C and F. D is sitting to the immediate left of E. Who is sitting between A and E?

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  4. Six friends – A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting in a circle facing center. F is to the immediate left of A and B is sitting opposite to F. E and D are sitting opposite to each other. Who is sitting third right to A?

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Important Questions from Circular Arrangement

  1. Eight students A, B, C, D, E, F, G and Hsit around a circular table, equidistant from each other, facing the centre of the table, not necessarily in the same order. Band Dsit neither adjacent to Cnor opposite to C. Asits in between Eand D, and Fsits in between Band H. Which one of the following is definitely correct?

  2. Six persons A, B, C, D, E and Fare sitting equidistant from each other around a circular table (facing the centre of the table).

    Consider the Question and two Statements given below :

    Question : Who is sitting on the immediate left of A?

    Statement-1 : Bis sitting opposite to Cand Dis sitting  opposite to E.

    Statement-2 : Fis sitting on the immediate left of B.

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?

  3. Seven persons P, Q, R, S, T, U and V are sitting around a circular table facing the center (not necessarily in the same order). T sits third to the right of R. V sits third to the right of Q. One person sits between P and T. P is not the neighbor of S. U sits third to the left of P. Who sits second to the left of S?

  4. Akash, Binita, Chandan, Daksh, Ekta & Fatima are standing in a circle. Binita is between Daksh & Chandan. Akash is between Ekta & Chandan. Fatima is to the right of Daksh. Who is between Akash & Fatima?

  5. Six friends A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting around a round table in such a way that A is between E and F, E is opposite to D, and C is not on either side of E. The person opposite to D is

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