Double Row Facing: Basics

Double Row Facing problems involve two parallel rows of equal length, with one row facing North and the other facing South (facing each other). Persons in opposite rows sit directly opposite each other (same column index). These problems test your ability to coordinate two simultaneous arrangements with cross-row constraints.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
IntermediateDifficulty
2-3 hoursHours to Master

Introduction to Double Row Facing: Basics

Double Row Facing problems involve two parallel rows of equal length, with one row facing North and the other facing South (facing each other). Persons in opposite rows sit directly opposite each other (same column index). These problems test your ability to coordinate two simultaneous arrangements with cross-row constraints.

Prerequisites

Single row arrangement basics Understanding of facing directions (North/South) Concept of 'opposite' seats Cross-row constraints handling
Why This Matters: Double Row Facing problems appear in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking PO exams. They test coordination and cross-reference skills.

How to Solve Double Row Facing: Basics Problems

1

Step 1: Draw two rows: Row-1 (facing South) and Row-2 (facing North) or vice versa

2

Step 2: Label positions 1 to N from left to right in both rows

3

Step 3: Opposite seats share the same position index in both rows

4

Step 4: Place all directly given persons in their specified rows and positions

5

Step 5: Apply cross-row constraints (e.g., 'X sits opposite Y')

6

Step 6: Apply intra-row constraints (neighbors, ends, gaps) within each row

7

Step 7: Use elimination to fill remaining positions in both rows simultaneously

Pro Strategy: Create a table with two rows and N columns. Mark Row-1 and Row-2. Use 'opposite' constraints to link positions across rows. Solve intra-row constraints within each row, then use cross-row constraints to resolve ambiguities.

Example Problem

Example: Eight people sit in two rows of four each. Row-1 faces South, Row-2 faces North. P sits opposite Q. R sits second from one end in Row-1. S at extreme end in Row-2. The person opposite T is not at extreme end. Find arrangement. Solution: Step 1: Two rows of 4 positions each Step 2: Opposite seats share same column index Step 3: Place given positions: R at position 2 or 3 in Row-1, S at position 1 or 4 in Row-2 Step 4: P opposite Q → same column index Step 5: Eliminate conflicts to get unique arrangement Answer: Complete arrangement determined by elimination

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Draw two parallel lines representing the rows
  • Label positions 1 to N from left to right in both rows
  • Opposite seats have the same column number
  • If Row-1 faces South and Row-2 faces North, left/right is same for both
  • A person's left/right depends on their facing direction
  • Start with the row that has more definite placements

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

If A sits opposite B, then column(A) = column(B)
If A sits at an extreme end in Row-1, the person opposite A is also at extreme end in Row-2
The number of persons in each row is equal
Total persons = 2 × (persons per row)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing which row faces which direction
Forgetting that opposite seats share column index, not row index
Applying left/right incorrectly based on facing direction
Mixing up persons between rows

Exam Importance

Double Row Facing: Basics is an important topic for various competitive exams. Here's how frequently it appears:

SSC CGL
1-2 questions
BANKING PO
1-2 questions
RAILWAYS RRB
1-2 questions
CAT
0-1 questions
INSURANCE
1-2 questions

Ready to Master Double Row Facing: Basics?

Start with Worksheet 1 and work your way up to expert level! Each worksheet includes:

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
Start Practicing Now