Question 1
Five friends Q, S, T, P and R are sitting in a row facing South.
Q sits at the right extreme end. S sits second to the right of T.
R sits immediately to the right of T (from viewer's perspective).
P is not adjacent to Q.
Who sits at the left extreme end?
Solution Approach:
Step 1: Understanding facing South
When persons face South:
- Their right hand points West (viewer's LEFT) — "right" in the question = lower position number
- Viewer's "right" (higher position) = person's left side
Step 2: Set up diagram (viewer's perspective)
Position: 1(left) 2 3 4 5(right)
Step 3: Apply conditions
- Q at the right extreme end → Position 5
- S sits second to the right of T:
South-facing right = viewer's left = lower position: pos[S] = pos[T] - 2
Possible: T=3→S=1, or T=4→S=2
- R sits immediately to the right of T (viewer's right = higher pos): pos[R] = pos[T] + 1
If T=3 → R=4 ✓ (pos 4 free)
If T=4 → R=5 = Q ✗ (conflict)
∴ T=3, S=1, R=4
Position: S _ T R Q
Step 4: Apply constraint
- P not adjacent to Q (pos 5): P ≠ pos 4 (taken by R) → P at pos 2 ✓
Final Arrangement (all facing South ↓):
Position: S P T R Q
Verification:
✓ Q at right extreme end (pos 5)
✓ S second to right of T: pos[S](=1)-2 = 3 = pos[T] (south-facing right=lower)
✓ R immediately right of T (viewer right): pos 3+1 = 4
✓ P not adjacent to Q (pos 2, not pos 4)
Answer: S sits at the left extreme end (position 1).
Step 1: Understanding facing South
When persons face South:
- Their right hand points West (viewer's LEFT) — "right" in the question = lower position number
- Viewer's "right" (higher position) = person's left side
Step 2: Set up diagram (viewer's perspective)
Position: 1(left) 2 3 4 5(right)
Step 3: Apply conditions
- Q at the right extreme end → Position 5
- S sits second to the right of T:
South-facing right = viewer's left = lower position: pos[S] = pos[T] - 2
Possible: T=3→S=1, or T=4→S=2
- R sits immediately to the right of T (viewer's right = higher pos): pos[R] = pos[T] + 1
If T=3 → R=4 ✓ (pos 4 free)
If T=4 → R=5 = Q ✗ (conflict)
∴ T=3, S=1, R=4
Position: S _ T R Q
Step 4: Apply constraint
- P not adjacent to Q (pos 5): P ≠ pos 4 (taken by R) → P at pos 2 ✓
Final Arrangement (all facing South ↓):
Position: S P T R Q
Verification:
✓ Q at right extreme end (pos 5)
✓ S second to right of T: pos[S](=1)-2 = 3 = pos[T] (south-facing right=lower)
✓ R immediately right of T (viewer right): pos 3+1 = 4
✓ P not adjacent to Q (pos 2, not pos 4)
Answer: S sits at the left extreme end (position 1).