Question 1
Eight persons N, Q, O, M, T, P, S and R are sitting around a circular table. Some face the center and some face outward.
N faces the center. Q faces outward and sits third to the right of N.
O sits second to the left of N and faces the same direction as Q.
M faces the center and sits immediately to the right of O.
P sits immediately to the right of N. R sits opposite N.
S is not adjacent to Q.
Who sits second to the right of M?
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)
- Q 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
- O 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
O faces same as Q β OUTWARD
- M faces center, sits immediately to the RIGHT of O (pos 7):
O faces outward β right = anti-clockwise
1 anti-CW from pos 7 β pos 6
Step 5: Fill remaining persons
- P immediately to the RIGHT of N(pos 1, centerβCW): pos 2
- R opposite N(pos 1): pos 5
- S not adjacent to Q(pos 4): adj = pos 3 & 5
β S at pos 8, T at pos 3
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N(ctr) | pos2:P(out) | pos3:T(ctr) | pos4:Q(out) | pos5:R(out) | pos6:M(ctr) | pos7:O(out) | pos8:S(ctr)
Find second to the right of M (pos 6, center-facing β CW):
2 CW from pos 6: β pos 8 = S
Verification:
β Q(outward) 3 left of N(center): 3 ACW from pos1 = pos4
β O 2nd left of N, same direction as Q (outward)
β M(center) immediately right of O(outward, right=ACW)
β P immediately right (CW) of N
β R opposite N
β S not adjacent to Q
Answer: S sits second to the right of M.
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)
- Q 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
- O 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
O faces same as Q β OUTWARD
- M faces center, sits immediately to the RIGHT of O (pos 7):
O faces outward β right = anti-clockwise
1 anti-CW from pos 7 β pos 6
Step 5: Fill remaining persons
- P immediately to the RIGHT of N(pos 1, centerβCW): pos 2
- R opposite N(pos 1): pos 5
- S not adjacent to Q(pos 4): adj = pos 3 & 5
β S at pos 8, T at pos 3
Final Arrangement (clockwise):
pos1:N(ctr) | pos2:P(out) | pos3:T(ctr) | pos4:Q(out) | pos5:R(out) | pos6:M(ctr) | pos7:O(out) | pos8:S(ctr)
Find second to the right of M (pos 6, center-facing β CW):
2 CW from pos 6: β pos 8 = S
Verification:
β Q(outward) 3 left of N(center): 3 ACW from pos1 = pos4
β O 2nd left of N, same direction as Q (outward)
β M(center) immediately right of O(outward, right=ACW)
β P immediately right (CW) of N
β R opposite N
β S not adjacent to Q
Answer: S sits second to the right of M.