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Question

A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a circle in the same order for lunch at equal distances, Their positions are clockwise. If C is sitting in the east, then what is be the position of G?

The correct answer is

West

Solving the Circular Seating Arrangement Puzzle

This question involves a circular seating arrangement where people are placed at equal distances in a clockwise order. We are given the position of one person (C) and need to find the position of another person (G).

There are 8 people (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) sitting in a circle at equal distances. Since there are 8 people, the circle is divided into 8 equal sectors. The angle between any two adjacent people is \( \frac{360^\circ}{8} = 45^\circ \).

The standard directions are:

  • North (\(0^\circ\) or \(360^\circ\))
  • East (\(90^\circ\))
  • South (\(180^\circ\))
  • West (\(270^\circ\))

The intercardinal directions are:

  • North-East (\(45^\circ\))
  • South-East (\(135^\circ\))
  • South-West (\(225^\circ\))
  • North-West (\(315^\circ\))

We are told that C is sitting in the East. In terms of degrees, East corresponds to \(90^\circ\).

The people are sitting in a clockwise order: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.

Let's determine the position of each person relative to C, moving clockwise at \(45^\circ\) intervals:

Person Position Relative to C (Clockwise) Angle from North Direction
C \(0^\circ\) from self \(90^\circ\) East
D \(45^\circ\) Clockwise from C \(90^\circ + 45^\circ = 135^\circ\) South-East
E \(45^\circ\) Clockwise from D (\(90^\circ + 2 \times 45^\circ = 180^\circ\)) \(180^\circ\) South
F \(45^\circ\) Clockwise from E (\(90^\circ + 3 \times 45^\circ = 225^\circ\)) \(225^\circ\) South-West
G \(45^\circ\) Clockwise from F (\(90^\circ + 4 \times 45^\circ = 270^\circ\)) \(270^\circ\) West

Alternatively, we can move counter-clockwise from C. The order counter-clockwise would be C, B, A, H, G, F, E, D.

Moving counter-clockwise at \(45^\circ\) intervals:

Person Position Relative to C (Counter-Clockwise) Angle from North Direction
C \(0^\circ\) from self \(90^\circ\) East
B \(45^\circ\) Counter-Clockwise from C \(90^\circ - 45^\circ = 45^\circ\) North-East
A \(45^\circ\) Counter-Clockwise from B (\(90^\circ - 2 \times 45^\circ = 0^\circ\)) \(0^\circ\) North
H \(45^\circ\) Counter-Clockwise from A (\(90^\circ - 3 \times 45^\circ = -45^\circ\) or \(315^\circ\)) \(315^\circ\) North-West
G \(45^\circ\) Counter-Clockwise from H (\(90^\circ - 4 \times 45^\circ = -90^\circ\) or \(270^\circ\)) \(270^\circ\) West

Both methods confirm that G is at the \(270^\circ\) position, which corresponds to West.

Final Position of G

Based on the clockwise arrangement starting with C in the East, G is located in the West direction.

Revision Table: Circular Seating and Directions

Concept Explanation Application in Problem
Circular Arrangement People or objects arranged in a circle. 8 people A-H in a circle.
Equal Distance Spacing between adjacent items is constant. Angle between adjacent people is \(360^\circ / 8 = 45^\circ\).
Clockwise Order Sequence follows the direction of a clock's hands. A, B, C, ..., H sequence matters for relative positions.
Cardinal Directions North, East, South, West. C is placed in the East direction.
Intercardinal Directions North-East, South-East, South-West, North-West. Used for intermediate positions.

Additional Information on Seating Arrangements and Directions

Seating arrangement questions are common in reasoning sections of competitive exams. They test your ability to understand and follow spatial relationships and logical constraints. When dealing with circular arrangements and directions, it's helpful to visualize the setup or draw a diagram.

  • Visualisation: Imagine a compass overlaid on the circle. North is typically at the top, East to the right, South at the bottom, and West to the left.
  • Degrees: Relating directions to degrees (North \(0^\circ\), East \(90^\circ\), South \(180^\circ\), West \(270^\circ\)) is crucial, especially when dealing with equal spacing.
  • Relative Positions: Phrases like "to the immediate right" or "two places away" are interpreted based on the direction the people are facing (if specified) or relative to the center of the circle in absence of facing direction. In this problem, the clockwise order and equal distance define the relative positions clearly.
  • Clockwise vs. Counter-clockwise: Pay close attention to the specified order (clockwise or counter-clockwise) for placing individuals around the circle.

Practice with different numbers of people and varying starting positions will help improve speed and accuracy in solving these types of circular seating arrangement problems.

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Important Questions from Circular Arrangement

  1. Seven friends, Subhi, Prince, Ketan, Vishal, Mahima, Krish and Naitik, are sitting around a circular table with their backs towards the centre. Subhi is sitting to the immediate right of Prince. Naitik and Krish are not sitting to the immediate left or right of Vishal. Vishal is sitting third to the left of Prince. Mahima is sitting to the immediate right of Vishal. Who is sitting third to the right of Prince?

  2. Raghav, Manpreet, Sunaina, Prakrit, Vedika and Arwa are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. Raghav is second to the left of Prakrit. Manpreet is to the immediate left of Sunaina. Arwa is second to the right of Vedika. There are an equal number of persons between Raghav and Manpreet from both the ends. Who is sitting third to the left of Sunanina?

  3. Five friends, Vishnu, Chirag, Raina, Kavya and Surbhi, are sitting around a circular table, facing the center. Vishnu is to the immediate right of Kavya. Chirag is third to the left of Kavya. Surbhi is not adjacent to Chirag. Who is second to the left of Kavya?

  4. Six friends, David, Bhanu, Minto, Krita, John and Nisan, are sitting in a circle with their backs towards the centre. David and Minto are sitting to the immediate left and right of Bhanu, respectively. John is not sitting to the immediate left of David. Nisan is sitting third to the right of Bhanu. Who is sitting second to the left of Bhanu?

  5. Eight friends, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W, are sitting in the same order anticlockwise around a circular table at equal distance between them, with all centre of the table. If Q is sitting in the south-east, then in which direction is W sitting?

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