SSC CGL/CHSL 2015:- REASONING

 Seating Arrangement shortcuts

There are various models in the seating arrangement like

1. Single row arrangement
2. Double row arrangement
3. Circular arrangement
4. Rectangular arrangement

No matter what the model is, the following points are to be noted in order to solve the questions easily.
1. Read the entire puzzle and understand the statements correctly
2. Identify the statements that give definite information.
For instance let us take three statements and evaluate them
Statement (a): A is to the left of B.
The data in the statement is basic but not definite as the statement ONLY says that A is to the left of B. but, it does not specify where A is located from B.
Statement (b): A is second to the left of B. The data in the statement is definite as it clearly states that A is placed second to the left of B.
Statement (c): T is between Q who plays football and P in order of seating in a row. It can be understood as 'T is between Q and P. So, they may be seated as QTP or PTQ (so, the data is not definite) and 'Q plays football'.
3. Search for the connecting information.
4. Figure out the seating arrangement by clearly identifying the directions
Persons sitting in a ROW all facing same direction:

Persons sitting in two ROWs facing each other:

Persons sitting in a CIRCLE or RECTANGLE or SQUARE facing the centre:
Seated to the left = Take clockwise direction
Seated to the right = Take Anti-clockwise direction

Persons sitting in two CIRCLE or RECTANGLE or SQUARE facing away from centre:
Seated to the left = Take Anti-clockwise direction
Seated to the right = Take clockwise direction

Now let us discuss this with an example:
A, B, C, D, E. F, G and H are sitting around a circle facing the centre.
a) E is to the immediate right o A, who is second to the right of G.
b) D is not an immediate neighbour of C or H.
c) F is third to the right of C and second to the left of H.

Now, let us discuss how to understand the statements correctly:
The statement (a) says: E is to the immediate right of A. A is second to the right of G.
The statement (c) says: F is third to the right of C. F is second to the left of H.
Normally, we will be tempted to solve the question by picking up point by point from first. But, that is not correct. We should be careful in selecting the points to solve the puzzle by searching for definite information. Here, though (a) and (c) are definite points, we have to pick up (c) first as this point is connected to the point (b) (as 'C' and 'H' are discussed in both the points). In case, we take point (a) it is difficult to solve the question.

 Directions Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below:

A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting around a square table in such a way that four of them sit at four corners of the square while fore sit in the middle of each of the four sides. The ones who sit at the four corners face the centre while those who sit in the middle of the sides face outside. Two females sit in the middle of the sides and two at the corners. A sits second to the left of G. G sits in the middle of one of the sides. C sits fourth to the right of his wife and his wife is not an immediate  neighbour of A or G. B sits third to right of her husband. B does not sit at any of the corners. Only D sits between B and H. H is husband of A. E is a male.

1. Which of the following is true with respect to given seating arrangement?
a) No two males are immediate neighbours of each other.
b) G and H face each other in the seating arrangement.
c) A sits in the centre of one of the sides of the square table.
d) F is a male and sits diagonally opposite to E.
e) E and D are immediate neighbours of each other.

2. Who amongst the following is B’s husband?
a) C
b) G
c) F
d) E
e) Cannot be determined

3. How many people sit between B and C when counted in anti- clock wise direction from B ?
a) None
b) One
c) Two
d) Three
e) Four

4. Who amongst the following is the wife of C?
a) D
b) F
c) B
d) G
e) Cannot be determined

5. What is the position of E with respect to C?
a) Immediately to the right
b) Second to the left
c) Third to the right
d) Immediately to the left
e) Second to the right



Answers:

1. C
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. E