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Comparative Ranking

Comparative Ranking problems involve arranging persons or items based on comparison clues (e.g., 'A is taller than B', 'C is heavier than D'). These problems test your ability to chain comparisons together to determine the complete order.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
BeginnerDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

What You'll Learn

Introduction & Overview Why This Matters How to Solve Pro Tips & Tricks
Shortcut Methods Common Mistakes Practice Worksheets Exam Importance

Introduction to Comparative Ranking

Comparative Ranking problems involve arranging persons or items based on comparison clues (e.g., 'A is taller than B', 'C is heavier than D'). These problems test your ability to chain comparisons together to determine the complete order.

Prerequisites

Understanding of comparative terms (taller/shorter, heavier/lighter, older/younger) Transitive property (if A > B and B > C, then A > C) Basic logical reasoning Linear ordering concepts
Why This Matters: Comparative Ranking forms the foundation of ranking puzzles. You can expect 2-3 questions in SSC CGL, 2-3 in Banking PO, and 2-3 in Railways RRB exams.

How to Solve Comparative Ranking Problems

1

Step 1: List all persons or items mentioned in the problem

2

Step 2: Write all comparison statements as inequalities (e.g., A > B, C < D)

3

Step 3: Identify the strongest relationships (direct comparisons)

4

Step 4: Use the transitive property to chain comparisons together

5

Step 5: Build a complete ordering from highest to lowest (or vice versa)

6

Step 6: Identify positions (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) in the order

7

Step 7: Answer the specific question (who is tallest, shortest, 3rd from top, etc.)

8

Step 8: Verify that all given comparisons are satisfied in your order

Pro Strategy: Always convert comparison statements into a consistent inequality format (e.g., use > for 'taller than', 'heavier than', 'older than'). Chain them together using the transitive property to form a complete ordering.

Example Problem

Example: Among five friends, A is taller than B. C is shorter than B. D is taller than A. E is shorter than C. Who is the tallest? Solution: Step 1: Persons: A, B, C, D, E Step 2: Inequalities: A > B, C < B, D > A, E < C Step 3: Rewrite as: D > A > B > C > E Step 4: Complete order: D (tallest), A, B, C, E (shortest) Step 5: Tallest is D Answer: D is the tallest

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Convert all statements to the same direction (e.g., all using 'greater than')
  • Use the transitive property: If A > B and B > C, then A > C
  • Draw a vertical number line with highest at top and lowest at bottom
  • Look for the person who is greater than everyone else (top rank)
  • Look for the person who is less than everyone else (bottom rank)
  • If statements seem contradictory, double-check your chaining

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

If A > B and B > C, then A > C (transitive property)
The tallest person has no one taller than them
The shortest person has no one shorter than them
Count how many people are taller/shorter to find position

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Reversing inequality signs (confusing 'taller than' with 'shorter than')
Not applying transitivity correctly
Missing indirect comparisons that can be chained
Assuming order without verifying all clues

Exam Importance

Comparative Ranking is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
2-3 questions
BANKING PO
2-3 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
2-3 questions
CAT
1-2 questions
INSURANCE
2-3 questions

Ready to Master Comparative Ranking?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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