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Question

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?

The correct answer is

J

Solving the Six Friends Circular Seating Arrangement Puzzle

This question involves a circular seating arrangement puzzle where six friends (G, H, I, J, K, L) are sitting around a circular table, all facing the center. We need to use the given clues to determine their positions and then find the person sitting to the immediate left of L.

Step-by-Step Deductions

Let's break down the clues and build the arrangement step by step:

  1. H is sitting third to the left of G.
    • In a circular arrangement of 6 people, the position third to the left is also the position third to the right.
    • Let's fix G's position. If we count three positions to the left from G, we arrive at H's position.
  2. L and I are not neighbours of H.
    • This means L and I cannot sit in the positions immediately to the left or right of H.
  3. K is sitting to the immediate right of I.
    • This tells us that I and K are sitting next to each other, with K on I's right side.

Building the Arrangement

Let's visualize the circular table with 6 positions. We can number the positions 1 to 6 clockwise for clarity, starting with G at position 1.

Based on clue 1, H is third to the left of G. If G is at position 1, counting left (e.g., positions 6, 5, 4), H will be at position 4.

Arrangement so far:

Position 1: G

Position 4: H

The remaining positions are 2, 3, 5, 6. The remaining friends are I, J, K, L.

According to clue 2, L and I are not neighbours of H. H is at position 4. H's neighbours are positions 3 and 5. Therefore, L and I cannot be at positions 3 or 5.

So, L and I must be placed in the available positions that are not 3 or 5. These are positions 2 and 6.

According to clue 3, K is sitting to the immediate right of I. This pair (I followed by K to its immediate right) must fit into the remaining available positions. The available positions for I are 2 and 6.

  • Case 1: If I is at position 2, then K is at position 3 (immediate right of 2). This is a valid placement for I (2 is not 3 or 5). K being at position 3 is also valid according to clue 2, as only L and I cannot be neighbours of H. So, I=2, K=3 is a possibility.
  • Case 2: If I is at position 6, then K is at position 1 (immediate right of 6 in a circle). But position 1 is already occupied by G. So, I cannot be at position 6.

From this deduction, we conclude that I must be at position 2 and K must be at position 3.

Current Arrangement:

Position 1: G

Position 2: I

Position 3: K

Position 4: H

The remaining positions are 5 and 6. The remaining friends are J and L.

According to clue 2, L cannot be a neighbour of H. H is at position 4, so its neighbours are positions 3 and 5. Position 3 is taken by K. Position 5 is one of the remaining spots for L or J. Since L cannot be at position 5, L must be at the other remaining position, which is position 6.

Position 6: L

The only remaining person is J, and the only remaining position is 5.

Position 5: J

Final Arrangement:

Position Friend
1 (Top) G
2 (Right) I
3 (Right-Bottom) K
4 (Bottom) H
5 (Left-Bottom) J
6 (Left) L

Let's verify the conditions with the final arrangement:

  • H (Pos 4) is third to the left of G (Pos 1)? Counting left from 1: Pos 6, Pos 5, Pos 4. Yes.
  • L (Pos 6) and I (Pos 2) are not neighbours of H (Pos 4, neighbours are Pos 3 and 5)? Yes, 6 and 2 are not 3 or 5.
  • K (Pos 3) is sitting to the immediate right of I (Pos 2)? Yes, counting right from 2 is Pos 3.

All conditions are met.

Finding the Person to the Immediate Left of L

L is sitting at Position 6. In a circular arrangement numbered 1-6 clockwise, the position immediately to the left of Position 6 is Position 5.

The person sitting at Position 5 is J.

Therefore, J is sitting to the immediate left of L.

Revision Table: Key Clues & Deductions

Clue Deduction Impact on Arrangement
H is 3rd left of G Fixes relative positions of G and H. If G is at 1, H is at 4.
L and I not neighbours of H L and I cannot be at positions next to H. L, I ≠ Positions 3, 5.
K is immediate right of I I and K sit together as a pair (I-K). Valid positions for I must allow K to be at I+1 (circularly).
Combining L,I restriction with I-K pair I must be at a position whose immediate right is available and is not 3 or 5 (for I). I must be at Pos 2 (K at Pos 3). I cannot be at Pos 6 (K at Pos 1, already G).
Placing remaining friends L & J Use L's restriction (not neighbour of H). L cannot be at Pos 5. L must be at Pos 6. J takes the last spot, Pos 5.

Additional Information: Circular Seating Arrangement Logic

Circular seating arrangement problems are common in logical reasoning sections of exams. Here are some key points to remember:

  • Relative vs. Absolute Positions: Unless a specific starting point is mentioned (like "A sits opposite B" or "A sits to the right of the person at the North side"), the arrangement is relative. You can fix one person's position and deduce others based on that.
  • Left and Right: Immediate left means the person next to them in the counter-clockwise direction (when facing the center). Immediate right means the person next to them in the clockwise direction. "Second to the left" means skipping one person and taking the next one to the left.
  • Opposite Positions: In an even-numbered circular arrangement (like 6 or 8), people sitting opposite each other are a fixed number of positions apart (e.g., 3 positions apart in a 6-person circle).
  • Neighbours: Neighbours are the two people sitting immediately next to a person, one on the left and one on the right.
  • Elimination: Use negative clues ("A is NOT sitting next to B") to eliminate possibilities for certain positions.

By carefully reading each clue and deducing the implications, you can build the arrangement piece by piece and solve the puzzle.

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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. 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?

  4. 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?

  5. A, B, C, D, E, F and G are sitting around a circle facing towards the center. D is third to the left of A who is Second to the left of F. E is not a neighbor of either F or D. C is third to left of B. What is G’s position with respect to C?

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