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Middle Position (Non-Overlapping)

Non-Overlapping Middle Position problems occur when the ranks of two persons from opposite ends do not overlap (their positions are separate). Given the total persons and the ranks, you can find how many persons are between them. These problems test your ability to handle separate positional relationships.

10Worksheets
200+Practice Questions
MediumDifficulty
1-2 hoursHours to Master

What You'll Learn

Introduction & Overview Why This Matters How to Solve Pro Tips & Tricks
Shortcut Methods Common Mistakes Practice Worksheets Exam Importance

Introduction to Middle Position (Non-Overlapping)

Non-Overlapping Middle Position problems occur when the ranks of two persons from opposite ends do not overlap (their positions are separate). Given the total persons and the ranks, you can find how many persons are between them. These problems test your ability to handle separate positional relationships.

Prerequisites

Position from one side concepts Understanding of overlapping vs non-overlapping Formula: Between = T - L1 - R2 Condition: L1 + R2 ≤ T + 1
Why This Matters: Non-Overlapping Middle Position problems appear in 1-2 questions in SSC CGL and Banking PO exams. They test understanding of separate rank scenarios.

How to Solve Middle Position (Non-Overlapping) Problems

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Step 1: Identify the ranks: L1 = rank of first person from left, R2 = rank of second person from right

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Step 2: Check if L1 + R2 ≤ T + 1 (non-overlap condition)

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Step 3: For non-overlapping case, persons between = T - L1 - R2

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Step 4: For total given between, T = L1 + R2 + B

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Step 5: Ensure the result is non-negative

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Step 6: Verify that the positions are separate

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Step 7: Present the answer

Pro Strategy: First check if the ranks are separate using L1 + R2 ≤ T + 1. If true, use the non-overlapping formula B = T - L1 - R2. The persons between are those not counted by either rank.

Example Problem

Example: In a row of 50 persons, A is 15th from left and B is 20th from right. How many persons are between A and B? Solution: Step 1: L1 = 15, R2 = 20, T = 50 Step 2: Check: L1 + R2 = 35 ≤ T + 1 = 51 → non-overlapping Step 3: Persons between = T - L1 - R2 = 50 - 15 - 20 = 15 Answer: 15 persons

Pro Tips & Tricks

  • Non-overlap condition: L1 + R2 ≤ T + 1
  • When L1 + R2 = T + 1, persons are adjacent (0 between)
  • The sum of left and right ranks indicates separation
  • Non-overlapping formula is simpler than overlapping formula
  • The persons between are the ones in the middle region

Shortcut Methods to Solve Faster

If L + R ≤ T + 1 → non-overlapping, between = T - L - R
If L + R = T + 1 → adjacent, 0 between
Total = L1 + R2 + B

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using overlapping formula for non-overlapping case
Forgetting that adjacent persons have 0 between
Not checking the condition first

Exam Importance

Middle Position (Non-Overlapping) 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 Middle Position (Non-Overlapping)?

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

20 practice questions
Detailed solutions
Step-by-step explanations
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