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Question

Six people M, N, O, P, Q and R are sitting around a circular table facing the centre. R sits second to the left of N. P is an immediate neighbour of O and R. M sits second to the left of Q. Who sits to the immediate right of P?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Stenographer 2022 Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2022) (Shift 2)
The correct answer is

R

Circular Seating Arrangement Puzzle Explained

This problem involves determining the seating positions of six people (M, N, O, P, Q, R) around a circular table based on given relational clues. All individuals are facing the centre of the table. We need to find out who is sitting immediately to the right of P.

Analyzing the Seating Clues

Let's break down the information provided:

  • Setup: Six people (M, N, O, P, Q, R) are seated around a circular table, all facing the centre.
  • Clue 1: "R sits second to the left of N." This means if we start at N and move two positions anticlockwise (to the left), we find R.
  • Clue 2: "P is an immediate neighbour of O and R." This tells us P must be sitting exactly between O and R. The sequence must be O-P-R or R-P-O around the table.
  • Clue 3: "M sits second to the left of Q." Similar to the first clue, this means if we start at Q and move two positions anticlockwise, we find M.

Determining the Arrangement Step-by-Step

We can determine the seating arrangement by combining the clues. Let's assume the seats are numbered 1 to 6 clockwise.

  1. Position N: Let's place N at Seat 1 (an arbitrary starting point).
  2. Position R relative to N: Since everyone faces the centre, 'left' refers to the anticlockwise direction. The seat immediately to N's left is Seat 6. The second seat to N's left is Seat 5. Therefore, R sits at Seat 5. Current arrangement schematic (clockwise): N(1), Seat 2, Seat 3, Seat 4, R(5), Seat 6.
  3. Position P and O: Clue 2 states P is an immediate neighbour of O and R. This implies P sits directly between O and R. As R is at Seat 5, P must be adjacent to R. P can be at Seat 4 or Seat 6.
    • Case 1: If P is at Seat 4. P's neighbours are Seat 3 and R(5). Since P must also neighbour O, O must be in Seat 3. The arrangement looks like: N(1), Seat 2, O(3), P(4), R(5), Seat 6.
    • Case 2: If P is at Seat 6. P's neighbours are N(1) and R(5). P must also neighbour O. This would require O to be in Seat 1, but N is already there. This case is impossible.
    Therefore, the arrangement must be: N(1), Seat 2, O(3), P(4), R(5), Seat 6.
  4. Position M and Q: The remaining people are M and Q, and the remaining seats are 2 and 6. We use Clue 3: "M sits second to the left of Q."
    • Test Case A: Assume Q is at Seat 2 and M is at Seat 6. The arrangement is: N(1), Q(2), O(3), P(4), R(5), M(6). Let's check Clue 3: Q is at Seat 2. The seat to Q's left is Seat 1 (where N is). The second seat to Q's left is Seat 6. M is indeed at Seat 6. This arrangement is valid.
    • Test Case B: Assume Q is at Seat 6 and M is at Seat 2. The arrangement is: N(1), M(2), O(3), P(4), R(5), Q(6). Let's check Clue 3: Q is at Seat 6. The seat to Q's left is Seat 5 (where R is). The second seat to Q's left is Seat 4 (where P is). Clue 3 requires M to be at Seat 4, but M is at Seat 2 in this case. This arrangement is invalid.
  5. Final Arrangement: The only valid seating order (clockwise) derived from the clues is N, Q, O, P, R, M.

Identifying the Person to the Immediate Right of P

Based on the confirmed arrangement:

  • P is located at Seat 4.
  • The person sitting to the immediate right of P is the person in the next seat clockwise, which is Seat 5.
  • According to our deduced arrangement, R is sitting at Seat 5.

Therefore, R sits to the immediate right of P.

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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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  3. 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 ?

  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?

  7. 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?

  8. Six friends – A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting in a circle facing centre. F is sitting immediate left of A and B is sitting opposite to E. A and D is sitting opposite to each other. Who is sitting opposite to F?

  9. A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a square table facing the centre of the table. Some of them are sitting at the corners while some are sitting at the exact centre of the sides. A sits third to the right of C. H sits between B and G . F sits second to the right of C. D does not sit in a corner. G sits third to the right of D. Three people sit between D and C.

    Who sits second to the left of B ?

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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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