Ranking with Ties

Ranking with Ties problems involve scenarios where multiple persons achieve the same rank (tie). When ties occur, the next rank skips ahead (e.g., 1,2,2,4). These problems test your understanding of rank assignment with ties and the difference between rank position and count of persons.

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

Introduction to Ranking with Ties

Ranking with Ties problems involve scenarios where multiple persons achieve the same rank (tie). When ties occur, the next rank skips ahead (e.g., 1,2,2,4). These problems test your understanding of rank assignment with ties and the difference between rank position and count of persons.

Prerequisites

Basic ranking concepts Understanding of tie handling Difference between rank number and number of persons Logical reasoning
Why This Matters: Ranking with Ties problems appear in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking exams. They test nuanced understanding of ranking systems.

How to Solve Ranking with Ties Problems

1

Step 1: Identify all persons and their scores/values

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Step 2: Group persons with equal scores (ties)

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Step 3: Assign the same rank to all persons in a tied group

4

Step 4: Skip ranks equal to (number in tied group - 1) before next rank

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Step 5: For rank of a person, count how many have higher scores, add 1

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Step 6: For number of persons below a rank, count persons with lower scores

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Step 7: Answer the specific question

Pro Strategy: When ties exist, remember that rank = number of people with strictly higher scores + 1. The next distinct rank after a tie of k persons is (current rank + k). For example, if rank 2 has 3 persons, next rank is 5.

Example Problem

Example: Scores: A=95, B=90, C=90, D=85, E=80. What are the ranks? Solution: Step 1: Sort descending: A(95), B(90), C(90), D(85), E(80) Step 2: Ties: B and C both 90 Step 3: Assign: A rank 1, B and C rank 2 (tie), D rank 4 (skip 3), E rank 5 Answer: A=1, B=2, C=2, D=4, E=5

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Rank = 1 + (number of persons with higher score)
  • If k persons share rank r, next rank is r + k
  • Total ranks = number of distinct score groups
  • The sum of all ranks (using competition ranking) = not meaningful
  • In 'dense ranking', ties don't skip numbers (1,2,2,3)
  • In 'competition ranking', ties cause skips (1,2,2,4)

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

If A and B tie, they have same rank
The rank after a tie of k persons = previous rank + k
Number of persons below rank r = total - (persons with rank ≤ r)
Highest rank is always 1

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not skipping ranks after ties (using dense ranking instead of competition ranking)
Assigning different ranks to tied persons
Forgetting that ties affect subsequent ranks
Confusing rank with position in sorted list

Exam Importance

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

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

Ready to Master Ranking with Ties?

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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