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Question

A, B, E, F, L, M and P are sitting around a circular table, facing the centre. Only three people sit between P and E when counted from the left of P. Only three people sit between M and A when counted from the right of A. L sits to the immediate right of M. F is an immediate neighbour of A as well as E. Who sits second to the left of B?

This question was previously asked in
RRB NTPC 2024 Undergraduate CBT 1 Question Paper (29-Aug-2025) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

F

Solving the Circular Table Seating Arrangement Puzzle

This problem requires us to figure out the seating positions of seven people around a circular table based on a set of clues. The people are A, B, E, F, L, M, and P, and they are all facing the centre. Our goal is to find out who is seated second to the left of person B.

Analyzing the Seating Clues

Let's break down each clue to understand the relationships between the people:

  • People: A, B, E, F, L, M, P (7 total).
  • Arrangement: Circular table, facing the centre.
  • Clue 1: "Only three people sit between P and E when counted from the left of P." In a circle of 7 people, if there are 3 people between two individuals, they must be sitting directly opposite each other.
  • Clue 4: "F is an immediate neighbour of A as well as E." This means F sits between A and E (A-F-E or E-F-A).
  • Clue 3: "L sits to the immediate right of M." This gives us a fixed pair: M followed immediately by L in the clockwise direction (M-L).
  • Clue 2: "Only three people sit between M and A when counted from the right of A." This clue helps place M and A relative to each other.

Step-by-Step Arrangement Construction

Step 1: Placing P and E

From Clue 1, P and E are opposite each other. Imagine the 7 seats numbered 1 to 7 clockwise. Let's place P at seat 1. Counting three seats to P's left (seats 7, 6, 5), we find E must be at seat 4.

Current Placement: P is at 1, E is at 4. Seats 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 are empty.

Step 2: Placing F and A

Clue 4 states F is a neighbour to both E and A. Since E is at seat 4, F must be in either seat 3 or seat 5. A must be next to F on the other side.

Let's consider the two possibilities for F:

  • Possibility 1: F is at seat 3. Then A must be at seat 2 (neighbour of F, cannot be seat 4 where E is). Arrangement: P(1), A(2), F(3), E(4), _, _, _.
  • Possibility 2: F is at seat 5. Then A must be at seat 6 (neighbour of F, cannot be seat 4 where E is). Arrangement: P(1), _, _, E(4), F(5), A(6), _.

Step 3: Using Clue 2 to Test Possibilities

Clue 2: "Only three people sit between M and A when counted from the right of A."

  • Testing Possibility 1: P(1), A(2), F(3), E(4), _, _, _. A is at seat 2. Counting from A's right: seat 3 (F), seat 4 (E), seat 5. This means M must be at seat 5. Arrangement: P(1), A(2), F(3), E(4), M(5), _, _.
  • Testing Possibility 2: P(1), _, _, E(4), F(5), A(6), _. A is at seat 6. Counting from A's right: seat 7, seat 1 (P), seat 2. This means M must be at seat 2. Arrangement: P(1), M(2), _, E(4), F(5), A(6), _.

Step 4: Using Clue 3 to Finalize the Arrangement

Clue 3: "L sits to the immediate right of M."

  • Continuing Possibility 1: We have P(1), A(2), F(3), E(4), M(5), _, _. M is at seat 5. M's immediate right is seat 6. So, L must be at seat 6. Arrangement: P(1), A(2), F(3), E(4), M(5), L(6), _. The only remaining person is B, who goes to seat 7. Final Arrangement 1: P, A, F, E, M, L, B (clockwise).
  • Continuing Possibility 2: We have P(1), M(2), _, E(4), F(5), A(6), _. M is at seat 2. M's immediate right is seat 3. So, L must be at seat 3. Arrangement: P(1), M(2), L(3), E(4), F(5), A(6), _. The only remaining person is B, who goes to seat 7. Final Arrangement 2: P, M, L, E, F, A, B (clockwise).

Step 5: Verifying the Correct Arrangement

Let's check if Final Arrangement 2 (P, M, L, E, F, A, B) satisfies all conditions:

Circular Seating Arrangement (Clockwise)
Seat 1: P
Seat 2: M
Seat 3: L
Seat 4: E
Seat 5: F
Seat 6: A
Seat 7: B

  • Clue 1 Check: P(1) and E(4). Counting left from P: 7(B), 6(A), 5(F) are between them. (3 people). Correct.
  • Clue 2 Check: M(2) and A(6). Counting right from A: 7(B), 1(P), 2(M) are between them. (3 people). Correct.
  • Clue 3 Check: L(3) is to the immediate right of M(2). Correct.
  • Clue 4 Check: F(5) is next to E(4) and A(6). Correct.

This arrangement is consistent with all the clues.

Identifying Who Sits Second to the Left of B

According to the confirmed arrangement (clockwise P, M, L, E, F, A, B), B is at seat 7.

  • The person immediately to the left of B (seat 7) is A (at seat 6).
  • The person second to the left of B is F (at seat 5).

Final Conclusion

Based on the step-by-step deduction and verification, F sits second to the left of B.

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Similar Questions

  1. Seven people, A, B, C, D, E, F and G, are sitting in a row, facing north. Only two people sit to the left of A. Only three people sit between G and A. C is an immediate neighbour of F. D sits second to the left of F. How many people sit to the left of F?

  2. A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. A sits second to the right of E. F is the immediate neighbour of D and E. C sits second to the left of B.

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  3. A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. D sits to the immediate left of F. B is the immediate neighbour of C and F. A is the immediate neighbour of E and C.

    What is the position of D with respect to E?

  4. Seven people, A, B, C, D, E, F and G are sitting in a row, facing north. E sits third from the left end. Only three people sit between G and E. B is the immediate neighbour of C and F. D sits second to the left of C.

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  5. Seven people, A, B, C, D, E, F and G are sitting in a straight line, facing north.

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  6. Eight people are sitting in two parallel rows containing 4 people each in such a way that there is equal distance between adjacent persons. In row 1 - A, B, C and D are seated and all of them are facing south. In row 2 - P, Q, R and S are seated and all of them are facing north. Thus each person faces another person from the other row. Only three people sit to the right of R. D faces the person who is the immediate neighbour of S and P. C faces the person who sits second to the left of S. R does not face A. Who amongst the following faces B?

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Important Questions from Seating arrangement

  1. Five people A, B, C, D and E are seated about a round table. Every chair is spaced equidistant from adjacent chairs. 

    (i) C is seated next to A 

    (ii) A is seated two seats from D 

    (iii) B is not seated next to A 

    On the basis of above information, which of the following must be true? 

    1. D is seated next to B 

    2. E is seated next to A 

    3. D and C are separated by two seats 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  2. There are seven persons up on a ladder, A, B, C, D, E, F and G (not in that order). A is further up than E but is lower than C. B is in the middle. G is between A and B. E is between B and F. If F is between E and D, the person on the bottom step of the ladder will be

  3. Consider that: 

    1. A is taller than B. 

    2. C is taller than A. 

    3. D is taller than C. 

    4. E is the tallest of all. 

    If they are made to sit in the above order of their height, who will occupy the mid position?

  4. Four children are sitting in a row. A is occupying the seat next to B but not next to C. If C is not sitting next to D, who is/are occupying seat/seats adjacent to D?

  5. A question paper must have a question on one of the eight poets: A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H The first four belong to the medieval period while the rest are considered modern poets Generally, modern poets figure in the question paper in alternate years. Generally those who like H like G also; and those who like F like E also. The paper-setter does not like to ask about F as he has written a book on F, but he likes F. Last year, the paper contained a question on A. 

    On the basis of the information given, this year's paper is most likely to contain a question on

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