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Question

Eight friends K, L, M, N, O, P, Q and R are sitting clockwise in the same sequence around a circular table, facing the centre, at equal distances from each other. If O is sitting in the south-east, then in which direction is R facing?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2020-21 Previous Year Paper (15-Nov-2021) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

East

Circular Arrangement Puzzle Solution

The problem describes eight friends K, L, M, N, O, P, Q and R sitting around a circular table. They are arranged in a specific sequence (K to R) clockwise and are facing the centre of the table at equal distances from each other.

Understanding the Setup and Directions

A circular table with 8 equally spaced positions facing the centre can be mapped to the 8 standard compass directions: North, North-East, East, South-East, South, South-West, West, and North-West. Since there are 8 positions equally spaced around 360 degrees, each position is \(360^\circ / 8 = 45^\circ\) away from its neighbours.

We are given that O is sitting in the South-East direction.

Mapping Friend Positions to Directions

The friends are sitting in the clockwise sequence K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R. If O is in the South-East, we can determine the direction of the other friends by moving around the circle. Since the sequence K to R is clockwise, moving anti-clockwise from O will lead us backwards through the sequence (O, N, M, L, K, R, Q, P).

  • O is at South-East.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from South-East gives East. N is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from East gives North-East. M is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from North-East gives North. L is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from North gives North-West. K is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from North-West gives West. R is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from West gives South-West. Q is here.
  • Moving 45 degrees anti-clockwise from South-West gives South. P is here.

We can also think about moving clockwise from O. O is SE. Clockwise from SE is South (45 deg), then South-West (90 deg), then West (135 deg). So, P is at South, Q is at South-West, and R is at West. This confirms R is at the West position.

Here is a summary of the friend positions and their corresponding directions:

Friend Direction of Position
K North-West
L North
M North-East
N East
O South-East
P South
Q South-West
R West

Determining R’s Facing Direction

We need to find the direction R is facing. We have determined that R is sitting at the position corresponding to the West direction.

The problem states that all friends are facing the centre of the table. When a person is located at a certain directional position around a circle and faces the centre, they face the direction opposite to their position.

  • If you are at the North position facing the centre, you face South.
  • If you are at the East position facing the centre, you face West.
  • If you are at the South position facing the centre, you face North.
  • If you are at the West position facing the centre, you face East.
  • If you are at the North-East position facing the centre, you face South-West.
  • If you are at the South-East position facing the centre, you face North-West.
  • If you are at the South-West position facing the centre, you face North-East.
  • If you are at the North-West position facing the centre, you face South-East.

Since R is sitting at the West position and facing the centre, R is facing the direction opposite to West.

The direction opposite to West is East.

Conclusion

Based on the clockwise arrangement starting from K and O being in the South-East, R is seated in the West direction. As R is facing the centre, R faces the direction opposite to West, which is East.

Revision Table: Circular Seating Arrangement Key Concepts

Concept Explanation in Puzzles
Circular Arrangement People or objects placed around a circle. Relative positions (left/right, opposite) are important.
Clockwise/Anti-clockwise Specifies the order or movement direction around the circle.
Facing Centre Individuals are looking towards the middle. The direction they face is opposite to their position direction.
Facing Away from Centre Individuals are looking outwards. The direction they face is the same as their position direction.
Equal Distance Positions are uniformly spaced, often allowing mapping to compass directions.

Additional Information: Solving Direction & Seating Puzzles

Solving puzzles involving directions and seating arrangements requires careful step-by-step analysis. Here are some tips:

  • Draw a diagram: A visual representation of the circular table and positions is very helpful.
  • Establish a reference point: Use the given information (like O's position) to anchor your diagram.
  • Follow the sequence and direction: Pay close attention to whether the arrangement is clockwise or anti-clockwise.
  • Determine facing direction: Clearly distinguish between a person's position direction and the direction they are facing (which depends on whether they face the centre or away).
  • Check relative positions: Use terms like 'left'/'right' or 'opposite' based on the perspective of the person at a specific position.
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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?

  3. Among eight houses A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, four houses are situated at the corners of a square - shaped garden. The remaining four houses are situated in the middle of each side of the square. All houses face the centre of the square. B is between A and H. F is to the immediate left of G. D is to immediate left of C, which is to the immediate left of F. B and F are in the middle of the two sides facing each other. D is not adjacent to H. Which four houses are situated at the corners.

  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?

  5. Five friends - David, Ethan, Fred, Gilbert, and Harry were sitting around a circular table facing the center of the table. Harry was sitting next to neither David nor Fred. Gilbert is sitting to the immediate left of Fred. Who among the following is sitting to Fred's immediate right?

  6. Eight persons J, K, L, M, N, 0, P and Q are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. N is between M and J. P is second to the left of K. O is between Q and P. L is second to right of O. N is to the immediate left of J.
    Who is sitting at third place to the right of P?
  7. Eight friends A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting anticlockwise in the same sequence around a circular table at equal distances facing the centre. Then, C and H interchange their places. If B is sitting in the south direction, in which direction is H facing now?
  8. A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a circular manner in the same order for lunch at equal distance. Their positions are clockwise. If C sits in the East, then what will be the position of H?

  9. 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?

  10. 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?


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. 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?

  3. 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

  4. Who among the following is a neighbour of S and R?

  5. Which of the following are not neighbours?

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