Question 1
Six persons N, O, P, M, K and L sit around a circular table facing outward.
O sits second to the left of N. P sits opposite to O.
M sits immediately to the right of P. K sits opposite to N.
Who sits immediately to the left of O?
Solution Approach:
Step 1: Understanding facing outward
When facing outward (away from center):
- LEFT = CLOCKWISE direction
- RIGHT = ANTI-CLOCKWISE direction
- Opposite positions are still n/2 = 3 seats apart.
Step 2: Draw diagram (positions 1–6 clockwise)
Step 3: Apply conditions
- Fix N at position 1.
- O sits second to the LEFT of N: left(outward)=CW, so O is 2 CW from N.
pos[O] = 3
- P sits opposite O (pos 3): pos 6
- M sits immediately to the RIGHT of P (pos 6):
right(outward)=anti-CW → pos 5
- K sits opposite N (pos 1): pos 4
- Remaining L fills pos 2.
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N → pos2:L → pos3:O → pos4:K → pos5:M → pos6:P
(All facing outward ↗)
Find immediate left of O (pos 3):
Left (outward) = clockwise → pos 4 = K
Verification:
✓ O second to left of N (CW direction)
✓ P opposite O
✓ M immediately right (anti-CW) of P
✓ K opposite N
Answer: K sits immediately to the left of O.
Step 1: Understanding facing outward
When facing outward (away from center):
- LEFT = CLOCKWISE direction
- RIGHT = ANTI-CLOCKWISE direction
- Opposite positions are still n/2 = 3 seats apart.
Step 2: Draw diagram (positions 1–6 clockwise)
Step 3: Apply conditions
- Fix N at position 1.
- O sits second to the LEFT of N: left(outward)=CW, so O is 2 CW from N.
pos[O] = 3
- P sits opposite O (pos 3): pos 6
- M sits immediately to the RIGHT of P (pos 6):
right(outward)=anti-CW → pos 5
- K sits opposite N (pos 1): pos 4
- Remaining L fills pos 2.
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N → pos2:L → pos3:O → pos4:K → pos5:M → pos6:P
(All facing outward ↗)
Find immediate left of O (pos 3):
Left (outward) = clockwise → pos 4 = K
Verification:
✓ O second to left of N (CW direction)
✓ P opposite O
✓ M immediately right (anti-CW) of P
✓ K opposite N
Answer: K sits immediately to the left of O.