Consider the following : A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are standing in a row facing North. B is not neighbour of G. F is to the immediate right of G and neighbour of E. G is not at the extreme end. A is sixth to the left of E. H is sixth to the right of C. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above?
- (a) C is to the immediate left of A.
- (b) D is immediate neighbour of B and F.
- (c) G is to the immediate right of D. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) A and E are at the extreme ends.
Why the answer is (c)
• 'A is sixth to the left of E' implies A is at position 1 and E is at position 7 (since 1+6=7).
• 'H is sixth to the right of C' implies C is at position 1 and H is at position 7 (since 1+6=7).
• Combining these, Position 1 must be both A and C, which is impossible. Re-evaluating: 'Sixth to the left' means if E is at pos $x$, A is at $x-6$. If A is at 1, E is at 7. If C is at 1, H is at 7. This creates a conflict unless we interpret the positions differently or check for unique slots. Let's list positions 1-8.
• From 'A is 6th left of E': Possible pairs (A,E) are (1,7) or (2,8). From 'H is 6th right of C': Possible pairs (C,H) are (1,7) or (2,8).
• Case 1: A=1, E=7. Then C and H must be (2,8) or (1,7). If C=1, conflict with A. So C=2, H=8. Positions: 1:A, 2:C, 7:E, 8:H.
• 'F is immediate right of G and neighbour of E'. E is at 7. Neighbours of E are 6 and 8. 8 is H. So F must be at 6. Since F is right of G, G is at 5.
• Current arrangement: 1:A, 2:C, 5:G, 6:F, 7:E, 8:H. Remaining spots: 3, 4. Remaining people: B, D.
• 'B is not neighbour of G'. G is at 5. Neighbours are 4 and 6. 6 is F. So B cannot be at 4. Thus B is at 3, and D is at 4.
• Final Arrangement: 1:A, 2:C, 3:B, 4:D, 5:G, 6:F, 7:E, 8:H.
• Check option (c): G (pos 5) is to the immediate right of D (pos 4). This is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) C is to the immediate left of A.
- C is at position 2 and A is at position 1, so C is to the immediate right of A, not the left.
- (b) D is immediate neighbour of B and F.
- D is at position 4; its neighbours are B (pos 3) and G (pos 5), so D is not a neighbour of F (pos 6).
- (d) A and E are at the extreme ends.
- A is at position 1 (extreme left) but E is at position 7, which is not an extreme end (H is at 8).
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.