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Question

Ina class of 64 students, Komal’s rank is 6 positions lower (i.e. towards bottom) than her friend Shikha, who is at the 59 th position from the end. What is Komal’s rank from the top in the class?

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

12 th

Understanding the Student Ranking Problem

This problem involves calculating the rank of a student from the top, given their position relative to another student and that student's rank from the bottom (end) in a class of a specific size.

We are given:

  • Total number of students in the class: 64
  • Shikha's rank from the end (bottom): 59th
  • Komal's rank is 6 positions lower than Shikha (towards the bottom).

We need to find Komal's rank from the top.

Step-by-Step Solution for Ranking Calculation

1. Find Shikha's Rank from the Top

To find Shikha's rank from the top, we can use the formula relating rank from the top, rank from the bottom, and the total number of students:

\(\text{Total students} = \text{Rank from top} + \text{Rank from bottom} - 1\)

We know the total students (64) and Shikha's rank from the bottom (59). Let Shikha's rank from the top be \(\text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}}\).

\(64 = \text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}} + 59 - 1\)

\(64 = \text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}} + 58\)

Now, we solve for \(\text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}}\):

\(\text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}} = 64 - 58\)

\(\text{R}_{\text{Shikha\_top}} = 6\)

So, Shikha's rank from the top is 6th.

2. Find Komal's Rank from the Top

The problem states that Komal's rank is 6 positions lower than Shikha. Being 'lower' in rank means having a higher rank number when counting from the top. For example, rank 2 is lower than rank 1, rank 3 is lower than rank 2, and so on.

Since Shikha is at the 6th position from the top, Komal, being 6 positions lower, will have a rank number that is 6 more than Shikha's rank number from the top.

Let Komal's rank from the top be \(\text{R}_{\text{Komal\_top}}\).

\(\text{R}_{\text{Komal\_top}} = \text{Shikha's rank from top} + 6\)

\(\text{R}_{\text{Komal\_top}} = 6 + 6\)

\(\text{R}_{\text{Komal\_top}} = 12\)

Therefore, Komal's rank from the top is 12th.

Let's verify this. If Komal is 12th from the top in a class of 64, her rank from the bottom would be:

\(\text{Total students} = \text{Rank from top} + \text{Rank from bottom} - 1\)

\(64 = 12 + \text{Rank}_{\text{Komal\_bottom}} - 1\)

\(64 = 11 + \text{Rank}_{\text{Komal\_bottom}}\)

\(\text{Rank}_{\text{Komal\_bottom}} = 64 - 11 = 53\)

Komal is 53rd from the bottom. Shikha is 59th from the bottom. Is Komal 6 positions lower (towards the bottom) than Shikha? Yes, 53 is 6 positions higher (closer to the top) than 59 when counting from the bottom. This aligns with Komal being higher ranked (closer to the top) than Shikha. Let's re-read the question carefully: "Komal’s rank is 6 positions lower (i.e. towards bottom) than her friend Shikha". This means Komal is further down the list, i.e., has a higher rank number from the top, compared to Shikha.

Our calculation that Komal's rank from the top is 12th matches the requirement that she is lower than Shikha's 6th position from the top.

Result

Komal's rank from the top in the class is 12th.

Item Value
Total Students 64
Shikha's Rank from End 59th
Shikha's Rank from Top 6th
Komal's Rank Relative to Shikha 6 positions lower (towards bottom)
Komal's Rank from Top 12th

Revision Table: Key Concepts in Ranking Problems

Concept Description Formula
Total Strength The total number of individuals in the arrangement. \(N\)
Rank from Top/Front/Left Position counted starting from the beginning. \(R_{\text{top}}\)
Rank from Bottom/End/Right Position counted starting from the end. \(R_{\text{bottom}}\)
Relationship between Ranks and Total Connecting rank from both ends to the total number. \(N = R_{\text{top}} + R_{\text{bottom}} - 1\)
Finding Total Strength If rank from both ends is known for one person. \(N = R_{\text{top}} + R_{\text{bottom}} - 1\)
Finding Rank from Opposite End If total and one rank is known. \(R_{\text{opposite}} = N - R_{\text{known}} + 1\)
Relative Positioning One person's position relative to another (e.g., 'X positions lower/higher'). Calculate based on the specified direction (towards top/bottom).

Additional Information on Ranking and Ordering

Ranking and ordering problems are common in quantitative aptitude. They test your ability to understand relative positions in a sequence.

  • Understanding 'Lower' and 'Higher' Rank: When ranks are given from the top, a numerically smaller rank (e.g., 1st) is higher, and a numerically larger rank (e.g., 10th) is lower. When ranks are given from the bottom, a numerically smaller rank (e.g., 1st from bottom) is actually higher up the list, and a numerically larger rank (e.g., 10th from bottom) is lower down the list. It is crucial to read carefully whether 'lower' or 'higher' refers to the rank number itself or the position in the list (towards the top or bottom). The question specified "lower (i.e. towards bottom)", which clarifies the direction.
  • Positions vs. Ranks: The 1st position means rank 1, the 2nd position means rank 2, and so on. The terms are often used interchangeably, but it's good to be clear.
  • Overlapping: Sometimes, ranking problems involve two people and ask about the number of people between them. These can become complex if their positions from opposite ends overlap. However, this problem was simpler, focusing on relative position and conversion between ranks.
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  3. A is taller than B. C and D are of equal height. E is shorter than B but taller than D. F is shorter than C, who is shorter than B. Who is the shortest among all?  

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Important Questions from Ordering and Ranking

  1. A medical representative plans to visit each of six hospitals — A, B, C, D, E and F — exactly once during the course of one day. He is setting up his schedule for the day according to the following conditions:

    i. He must visit A before B and E.

    ii. He must visit B before D.

    iii. The third hospital he visits must be C.

    Which of the following could be the possible order in which the medical representative visits the six hospitals?
  2. Sonam is older than Renu. Komal is younger than Renu. Priya is older than Sonam. Who is the eldest of them?

  3. Five men P, Q, R, S and T are reading a newspaper. The one who reads it first, gives it to T. The one who reads it last, had taken it from R. Q is not the first or last one to read it. There were two readers between P and R. Who is the third one to have read the newspaper?

  4. P, Q, R, S, T and U are standing in a queue. Q is just ahead of P. S is just behind T. U is NOT near R, who is separated from Q by two persons. Who is standing at the front of the queue?

  5. Five students took part in a cycling competition. Robert finished before Monish but behind Gunjan. Anil finished before Sunil but behind Monish.

    Who won the competition?

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