All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Six persons P, Q, R, S, T and U are sitting in a row facing north (not necessarily in the same order). Q sits fourth to the right of S. One person sits between P and Q. Three persons sit between R and T. R sits immediate left of P. How many persons sit between T and U?

The correct answer is

One

Solving the Seating Arrangement Puzzle

This puzzle involves arranging six persons P, Q, R, S, T, and U in a straight row facing north. We are given several clues about their relative positions. To solve this, we need to combine the clues step by step to find the unique arrangement.

Analyzing the Clues

Let's list the given conditions:

  • Q sits fourth to the right of S.
  • One person sits between P and Q.
  • Three persons sit between R and T.
  • R sits immediate left of P.

Building the Arrangement

We should start with the most restrictive clues or those connecting multiple persons. The clue "R sits immediate left of P" gives us a block of two people: RP. This block will always sit together in that order.

Next, consider "One person sits between P and Q". Since we have the RP block, P is followed or preceded by one person before Q. Given R P is a block, the sequence must be Q _ R P or R P _ Q.

Now, let's use "Q sits fourth to the right of S". This means there are three people between S and Q: S _ _ _ Q.

Let's try to combine the sequences. If we use R P _ Q, and Q is fourth to the right of S (S _ _ _ Q). To combine these, S must be placed before the R P block. Let's see if the number of people fits. If the sequence is S _ _ _ Q, and then R P _ Q, we might get something like S _ _ _ R P _ Q. This involves 8 positions, but we only have 6 people. So, R P _ Q combined with S _ _ _ Q in this manner is unlikely in a 6-person row.

Let's try the other sequence involving R, P, and Q: Q _ R P. Now combine this with S _ _ _ Q. The Q in S _ _ _ Q is the same Q as in Q _ R P. So, S must be placed to the left of Q with three people in between. If we place S at the beginning, S is at position 1, then the 4th position to its right is position 5. So, Q must be at position 5. The sequence S _ _ _ Q takes up positions 1 through 5.

Now, let's fit Q _ R P starting from Q at position 5. Q is at 5, then one person (position 6), then R, then P. Since there are only 6 positions total, this doesn't fit (Q=5, \_=6, R=7, P=8).

Let's reconsider placing the RP block first and seeing how the others fit.

Assume the six seats are numbered 1 to 6 from left to right.

The clue "Three persons sit between R and T" implies R and T are at positions like (1 and 5) or (2 and 6).

We know RP is a block.

Case 1: R is at position 1. Then P is at position 2 (R immediate left of P). Three persons between R (1) and T. So T is at position 1 + 4 = 5. The arrangement so far is R P _ _ T _. Positions: R=1, P=2, T=5.

  • One person between P (2) and Q. Q must be at position 2+2=4 (P _ Q). Arrangement: R P _ Q T _. Positions: R=1, P=2, Q=4, T=5.
  • Q (4) sits fourth to the right of S. S must be at position 4-4=0. This is impossible as position 1 is the first seat. So this case doesn't work.

Case 2: R is at position 2. Then P is at position 3 (R immediate left of P). Three persons between R (2) and T. T must be at position 2+4 = 6. The arrangement so far is _ R P _ _ T. Positions: R=2, P=3, T=6.

  • One person between P (3) and Q. Q must be at position 3+2=5 (P _ Q). Arrangement: _ R P _ Q T. Positions: R=2, P=3, Q=5, T=6.
  • Q (5) sits fourth to the right of S. S must be at position 5-4=1. Arrangement: S R P _ Q T. Positions: S=1, R=2, P=3, Q=5, T=6.

Let's check if this partial arrangement S R P _ Q T (positions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 filled) fits all conditions for 6 persons. The persons placed are S, R, P, Q, T. The missing person is U. There is one empty spot at position 4. So U must be at position 4.

The complete arrangement is S R P U Q T.

Position 1 2 3 4 5 6
Person S R P U Q T

Verifying the Final Arrangement (S R P U Q T)

  • R sits immediate left of P: R is at 2, P is at 3. Yes.
  • One person sits between P and Q: P is at 3, Q is at 5. U (at 4) sits between them. Yes.
  • Three persons sit between R and T: R is at 2, T is at 6. P (3), U (4), Q (5) sit between them. Yes.
  • Q sits fourth to the right of S: S is at 1, Q is at 5. Positions 2, 3, 4 are between them. Q is at the 4th position to the right of S (1→2→3→4→5). Yes.

All conditions are satisfied by the arrangement S R P U Q T.

Finding Persons Between T and U

In the final arrangement S R P U Q T:

  • U is at position 4.
  • T is at position 6.

The persons sitting between U and T are those at positions 5. The person at position 5 is Q.

Therefore, only one person (Q) sits between T and U.

Conclusion

Based on the given clues, the final arrangement of the six persons is S R P U Q T. In this arrangement, only one person sits between T and U.

Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Linear Arrangement

  1. Eight friends, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, are sitting in two lines of four persons each. Both the lines are facing each other. A is facing D. E is to the immediate left of G. H is to the immediate right of B. C is facing G. F is facing H. B is to the immediate right of the person who is facing G. D is to the immediate left of F. Which four persons are sitting in the same line?

  2. Nine employees, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and S, are sitting in the office in a straight line, all facing the east. O is third to the right of M. K is third to the left of P. Q is between P and S. N is fourth to the right of M. P is to the immediate right of N. R is fourth to the left of O. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

  3. Eight north-facing restaurants named P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W are located in a straight line. S is second to the left of T. W is third to the left of P. T is between P and V. S is third to the left of V. W is to the immediate right of U. R is third to the right of P. Who is sitting fourth to the right of S?

  4. Anamika, Gopal, Nischal, Vanmayi, Shresta and Sripad are sitting in a straight line facing the north. Nischal is to the immediate left of Gopal. Shresta is between Anamika and Sripad. Sripad is at the second place from the right end. Four persons are sitting between Nischal and Vanmayi. If Gopal and Sripad interchange their positions, then who will be sitting between Vanmayi and Shresta?

  5. A question is given, followed by two statements numbered (I) and (II). You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements is sufficient to answer the question. Read both the statements and select the appropriate answer.

    Question: How many people are standing in the row where all people are facing north?

    Statements:

    (I) A is fourth from the left end; M is second to the right of A; and R is second from the left end.

    (II) M is fourth from the right end; only two people Stand between M and B.

Need Expert Advice?

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App