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