Question 1
Eight persons N, P, S, R, T, O, Q and M are sitting around a circular table. Some face the center and some face outward.
N faces the center. P faces outward and sits third to the right of N.
S sits second to the left of N and faces the same direction as P.
R faces the center and sits immediately to the right of S.
O sits immediately to the right of N. M sits opposite N.
Q is not adjacent to P.
Who sits second to the right of R?
Solution Approach:
Step 1: Key rule for mixed facing
- Person facing CENTER: right = CLOCKWISE, left = ANTI-CLOCKWISE
- Person facing OUTWARD: right = ANTI-CLOCKWISE, left = CLOCKWISE
Step 2: Draw 8-seat circle (positions 1β8 clockwise)
Step 3: Start with definite information
- Fix N (faces center) at position 1 (reference point)
- P faces outward, sits third to the RIGHT of N:
N faces center β right = clockwise
3 CW from pos 1 β pos 4
N = pos 4 β
Step 4: Apply relative positions
- S sits second to the LEFT of N (pos 1):
N faces center β left = anti-clockwise
2 anti-CW from pos 1 β pos 7
S faces same as P β OUTWARD
- R faces center, sits immediately to the RIGHT of S (pos 7):
S faces outward β right = anti-clockwise
1 anti-CW from pos 7 β pos 6
Step 5: Fill remaining persons
- O immediately to the RIGHT of N(pos 1, centerβCW): pos 2
- M opposite N(pos 1): pos 5
- Q not adjacent to P(pos 4): adj = pos 3 & 5
β Q at pos 8, T at pos 3
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N(ctr) | pos2:O(out) | pos3:T(ctr) | pos4:P(out) | pos5:M(out) | pos6:R(ctr) | pos7:S(out) | pos8:Q(ctr)
Find second to the right of R (pos 6, center-facing β CW):
2 CW from pos 6: β pos 8 = Q
Verification:
β P(outward) 3 left of N(center): 3 ACW from pos1 = pos4
β S 2nd left of N, same direction as P (outward)
β R(center) immediately right of S(outward, right=ACW)
β O immediately right (CW) of N
β M opposite N
β Q not adjacent to P
Answer: Q sits second to the right of R.
Step 1: Key rule for mixed facing
- Person facing CENTER: right = CLOCKWISE, left = ANTI-CLOCKWISE
- Person facing OUTWARD: right = ANTI-CLOCKWISE, left = CLOCKWISE
Step 2: Draw 8-seat circle (positions 1β8 clockwise)
Step 3: Start with definite information
- Fix N (faces center) at position 1 (reference point)
- P faces outward, sits third to the RIGHT of N:
N faces center β right = clockwise
3 CW from pos 1 β pos 4
N = pos 4 β
Step 4: Apply relative positions
- S sits second to the LEFT of N (pos 1):
N faces center β left = anti-clockwise
2 anti-CW from pos 1 β pos 7
S faces same as P β OUTWARD
- R faces center, sits immediately to the RIGHT of S (pos 7):
S faces outward β right = anti-clockwise
1 anti-CW from pos 7 β pos 6
Step 5: Fill remaining persons
- O immediately to the RIGHT of N(pos 1, centerβCW): pos 2
- M opposite N(pos 1): pos 5
- Q not adjacent to P(pos 4): adj = pos 3 & 5
β Q at pos 8, T at pos 3
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N(ctr) | pos2:O(out) | pos3:T(ctr) | pos4:P(out) | pos5:M(out) | pos6:R(ctr) | pos7:S(out) | pos8:Q(ctr)
Find second to the right of R (pos 6, center-facing β CW):
2 CW from pos 6: β pos 8 = Q
Verification:
β P(outward) 3 left of N(center): 3 ACW from pos1 = pos4
β S 2nd left of N, same direction as P (outward)
β R(center) immediately right of S(outward, right=ACW)
β O immediately right (CW) of N
β M opposite N
β Q not adjacent to P
Answer: Q sits second to the right of R.