Solving the Newspaper Reading Order Logic Puzzle

This question asks us to determine the order in which five men (P, Q, R, S, and T) read a newspaper based on a series of clues. We need to use these clues to deduce the exact sequence and identify the third person in that order.

Analyzing the Newspaper Reading Clues

Let's list the clues we are given:

• Clue 1: The one who reads it first, gives it to T.
• Clue 2: The one who reads it last, had taken it from R.
• Clue 3: Q is not the first or last one to read it.
• Clue 4: There were two readers between P and R.

Step-by-Step Deduction of the Reading Sequence

We are dealing with a sequence of 5 readers. Let's represent the positions:

1st → 2nd → 3rd → 4th → 5th

From Clue 1, the person who is 1st gives the newspaper to T. This means T is the very next person to read it after the first reader. So, T is the 2nd reader.

Our sequence starts like this:

1st → T → ? → ? → ?

From Clue 2, the person who reads it last (the 5th person) took it from R. This tells us that R read the newspaper immediately before the last person. So, R is the 4th reader.

Our sequence now looks like this:

1st → T → ? → R → 5th

So far, we know the 2nd reader is T and the 4th reader is R. The people reading in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th positions are P, Q, and S (in some order).

From Clue 3, Q is not the first (1st) or the last (5th) reader. Since T is 2nd and R is 4th, and Q cannot be 1st or 5th, the only remaining position for Q is the 3rd one.

Our sequence is shaping up:

1st → T → Q → R → 5th

The remaining positions are 1st and 5th, and the remaining people are P and S.

From Clue 4, there were two readers between P and R. We know R is the 4th reader. Let's look at our current sequence structure: _, T, Q, R, _

The readers between position 1 and position 4 are positions 2 and 3. These are T and Q. There are exactly two readers (T and Q) in positions 2 and 3.

For there to be two readers between P and R (the 4th reader), P must be the 1st reader.

If P was the 1st reader, the readers between P (1st) and R (4th) are T (2nd) and Q (3rd) - two readers. This fits the clue.

If P was the 5th reader, there would be no readers between R (4th) and P (5th) in this linear sequence. This does not fit the clue.

Therefore, P must be the 1st reader.

Since P is the 1st reader, the only person left is S, who must be the 5th reader.

Determining the Third Reader in the Newspaper Sequence

Based on all the clues, we have successfully determined the complete sequence of readers from first to last:

The question asks for the third person to have read the newspaper. Looking at our final sequence, the reader in the 3rd position is Q.

Newspaper Reading Order Puzzle Revision Table

Additional Information on Logical Sequence Problems

Logical sequence or ordering puzzles are common in reasoning tests. They require careful reading and systematic deduction. Here are some tips for solving them:

• Assign positions or slots for the items being ordered (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd...).
• Use the most definitive clues first (e.g., A is immediately after B, C is the last one).
• Use clues that specify positions ("first", "last").
• Use clues that specify relative positions ("between", "immediately before/after").
• Keep track of placed items and remaining items/positions.
• Eliminate possibilities as you make deductions.
• Always re-check your final order against all original clues to ensure it satisfies every condition.

Practicing these types of puzzles helps sharpen your analytical and deductive reasoning abilities.