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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. Six friends, A, B, C, D, E and F, are sitting around a circular table facing the centre of the table. A is to the immediate left of E. B is to the immediate right of F. D is second to the left of F. A and C have equal number of persons between them from both the ends. Who is sitting between A and F?

  2. 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.
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  4. Eight friends A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting anticlockwise around a circular table facing the centre of the table at equal distances between them. If G is sitting in the Southeast, then which pair of persons and direction that person is sitting in is NOT correct?

  5. 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?

  6. 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?

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Important Questions from Circular Arrangement

  1. P, M, D, A, F, H, R and B are sitting around a circle facing at the centre. R is fourth to the right of A, who is third to the right of P. M is second to the left of H, who is second to the left of P. D is third to the right of B. Which of the following pairs are immediate neighbors of B?

  2. Six people, K, L, M, N, O and P, are sitting on the ground in a hexagonal shape but not necessarily in the same order. K is not sitting next to L or M. N is not sitting next to M or O. L is the neighbour of M. P is in the middle of M and N. What is the correct order of seating positions of the people in clockwise direction?

  3. Six friends, G, H I, J, K and L, are sitting around a circular table, facing towards the centre of the table. H is sitting third to the left of G. L and I are not neighbours of H. K is sitting to the immediate right of I. Who is sitting to the immediate left of L?

  4. Eight friends A, B, C, D, E, F, G and are sitting around a circular table facing each other for a lunch. A is opposite F and third to the right of B. G is between F and D. H is to the left of D. E is between C and A. Who is sitting third to the right of A?

  5. Six friends are sitting at equal distances from each other in a circle and facing the centre of the circle. Diraj is between Pramod and Parthiv. Priyanshu is between Mukund and Laya. Pramod and Mukund are opposite to each other. Laya is to the immediate left of Pramod. Who is sitting to the immediate left of Parthiv?

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