Read the following information and answer the two items that follow.
Who among the following is a neighbour of S and R?
Q
Solving the Circular Seating Arrangement Puzzle
This question involves a circular seating arrangement puzzle with seven friends: P, Q, R, S, T, U, and V. They are all sitting around a circle and facing the center. We need to use the given clues to determine their exact positions and then answer the specific question about the neighbours of S and R.
Analyzing the Clues
Let's break down the information provided:
- Seven friends: P, Q, R, S, T, U, V.
- Arrangement: Circular, facing the center.
- Clue 1: P is between V and S. This means V and S are the neighbours of P.
- Clue 2: R, who is second to the right of S, is between Q and U.
- R is second to the right of S.
- R is between Q and U. This means Q and U are the neighbours of R.
- Clue 3: Q is not a neighbour of T.
Step-by-Step Deduction of the Arrangement
Let's build the arrangement based on the clues:
We can start with Clue 2, which relates S and R spatially. R is second to the right of S. In a circle of 7 people, being second to the right means there is exactly one person between S and R when moving right from S.
Let's represent the positions in a circle. We can arbitrarily place S at a position to start.
| Position (Clockwise) | Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | ? |
| 3 | R (2nd right of S) |
| 4 | ? |
| 5 | ? |
| 6 | ? |
| 7 | ? |
Next, Clue 2 also says R is between Q and U. This means Q and U must be the immediate neighbours of R. Looking at our table, the neighbours of R (at position 3) are the people at position 2 and position 4.
| Position (Clockwise) | Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | Q or U |
| 3 | R |
| 4 | U or Q |
| 5 | ? |
| 6 | ? |
| 7 | ? |
Now consider Clue 1: P is between V and S. This means V and S are neighbours of P. In our table, S is at position 1. Its neighbours are at positions 7 and 2. Since the person at position 2 is either Q or U (from Clue 2), P must be the person at position 7, and V must be its other neighbour, which is at position 6 (since S is at 1 and is one neighbour of P at 7).
| Position (Clockwise) | Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | Q or U |
| 3 | R |
| 4 | U or Q |
| 5 | ? (Remaining Person) |
| 6 | V (Neighbour of P) |
| 7 | P (Between V and S) |
We have placed S, R, P, V, and narrowed down positions 2 and 4 to Q and U. The only remaining person is T, who must occupy the only remaining position, which is position 5.
| Position (Clockwise) | Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | Q or U |
| 3 | R |
| 4 | U or Q |
| 5 | T |
| 6 | V |
| 7 | P |
Finally, let's use Clue 3: Q is not a neighbour of T. T is at position 5. Its neighbours are at positions 4 and 6. Position 6 is V. Position 4 is either U or Q. Since Q is not a neighbour of T, Q cannot be at position 4. Therefore, U must be at position 4, and Q must be at position 2.
The final confirmed arrangement (clockwise from position 1) is:
| Position (Clockwise) | Person |
|---|---|
| 1 | S |
| 2 | Q |
| 3 | R |
| 4 | U |
| 5 | T |
| 6 | V |
| 7 | P |
The complete arrangement around the circle is S-Q-R-U-T-V-P-S (clockwise).
Answering the Specific Question: Neighbour of S and R
The question asks: Who among the following is a neighbour of S and R?
This is asking for the person who is sitting immediately between S and R in the circle.
Looking at our final arrangement S-Q-R-U-T-V-P-S:
- Starting from S and moving clockwise, the next person is Q, and then R. So, Q is between S and R in this direction.
- Starting from S and moving anti-clockwise, the next person is P. R is much further away in this direction.
The person who is a common neighbour to both S and R is the one directly between them. Based on the arrangement, that person is Q.
Let's check the options provided:
- T: Is T next to both S and R? No, T is next to U and V.
- U: Is U next to both S and R? No, U is next to R and T.
- P: Is P next to both S and R? No, P is next to V and S.
- Q: Is Q next to both S and R? Yes, Q is next to S and R.
The person who is a neighbour of both S and R is Q.
Revision Table: Key Clues and Deductions
| Clue | Deduction/Arrangement Step |
|---|---|
| R is 2nd right of S | One person between S and R (in right direction). |
| R is between Q and U | Q and U are neighbours of R. |
| P is between V and S | V and S are neighbours of P. |
| Combining S-R and P-V-S | Established relative positions, leading to P at pos 7, V at pos 6, T at pos 5. |
| Q is not neighbour of T | Used to resolve Q/U ambiguity at pos 2 and 4. Q must be at pos 2. |
| Final Check | Verified all conditions with S-Q-R-U-T-V-P arrangement. |
Additional Information: Tips for Solving Seating Arrangement Puzzles
Solving seating arrangement puzzles requires careful reading and systematic deduction. Here are some tips:
- Draw a diagram: For circular arrangements, drawing a circle with slots helps visualize the positions.
- Start with definite information: Look for clues that fix the position of a person or the relationship between a small group of people. "X is sitting between Y and Z" or "A is second to the right of B" are good starting points.
- Use relative positioning: Note down left/right relationships carefully. In a circle, left and right are relative to the direction they are facing (usually the center, as stated here).
- Identify neighbours: Clues mentioning someone is "between" two others directly tell you their neighbours.
- Look for exclusions: Clues like "X is NOT a neighbour of Y" or "A is NOT sitting opposite B" help eliminate possibilities and confirm positions.
- Table or List: Use a table or list to keep track of confirmed positions and possibilities as you deduce them.
- Verify the final arrangement: Once you think you have the arrangement, read through all the original clues again and check if your arrangement satisfies every condition.
Understanding the terminology like "to the right/left," "opposite," and "between" is crucial for these types of logical reasoning problems.
Important Questions from Circular Arrangement
Eight students A, B, C, D, E, F, G and Hsit around a circular table, equidistant from each other, facing the centre of the table, not necessarily in the same order. Band Dsit neither adjacent to Cnor opposite to C. Asits in between Eand D, and Fsits in between Band H. Which one of the following is definitely correct?
Six persons A, B, C, D, E and Fare sitting equidistant from each other around a circular table (facing the centre of the table).
Consider the Question and two Statements given below :
Question : Who is sitting on the immediate left of A?
Statement-1 : Bis sitting opposite to Cand Dis sitting opposite to E.
Statement-2 : Fis sitting on the immediate left of B.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?
Akash, Binita, Chandan, Daksh, Ekta & Fatima are standing in a circle. Binita is between Daksh & Chandan. Akash is between Ekta & Chandan. Fatima is to the right of Daksh. Who is between Akash & Fatima?
Six friends A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting around a round table in such a way that A is between E and F, E is opposite to D, and C is not on either side of E. The person opposite to D is
Which of the following are not neighbours?
