Question 1
Six persons P, O, M, N, L and K sit around a circular table facing outward.
O sits second to the left of P. M sits opposite to O.
N sits immediately to the right of M. L sits opposite to P.
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 P at position 1.
- O sits second to the LEFT of P: left(outward)=CW, so O is 2 CW from P.
pos[O] = 3
- M sits opposite O (pos 3): pos 6
- N sits immediately to the RIGHT of M (pos 6):
right(outward)=anti-CW → pos 5
- L sits opposite P (pos 1): pos 4
- Remaining K fills pos 2.
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:P → pos2:K → pos3:O → pos4:L → pos5:N → pos6:M
(All facing outward ↗)
Find immediate left of O (pos 3):
Left (outward) = clockwise → pos 4 = L
Verification:
✓ O second to left of P (CW direction)
✓ M opposite O
✓ N immediately right (anti-CW) of M
✓ L opposite P
Answer: L 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 P at position 1.
- O sits second to the LEFT of P: left(outward)=CW, so O is 2 CW from P.
pos[O] = 3
- M sits opposite O (pos 3): pos 6
- N sits immediately to the RIGHT of M (pos 6):
right(outward)=anti-CW → pos 5
- L sits opposite P (pos 1): pos 4
- Remaining K fills pos 2.
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:P → pos2:K → pos3:O → pos4:L → pos5:N → pos6:M
(All facing outward ↗)
Find immediate left of O (pos 3):
Left (outward) = clockwise → pos 4 = L
Verification:
✓ O second to left of P (CW direction)
✓ M opposite O
✓ N immediately right (anti-CW) of M
✓ L opposite P
Answer: L sits immediately to the left of O.