P, Q, R, S and T are sitting around a circular table facing inside. S is to the immediate right of T and is second to the left of P. R is not between P and T. Who is second to the left of T?
P, Q, R, S and T are sitting around a circular table facing inside. S is to the immediate right of T and is second to the left of P. R is not between P and T. Who is second to the left of T?
Solution
Given that P, Q, R, S, and T are sitting around a circular table facing inside:
- S is to the immediate right of T
- S is second to the left of P
- R is not between P and T
Starting with T at a position, S must be immediately to the right (clockwise) of T.
Since S is second to the left of P, going counter-clockwise from P, we pass one person then reach S. Equivalently, going clockwise from S, we pass one person then reach P.
The partial arrangement is:
T → S → (one person) → P
Let's assign positions 1-5 clockwise around the table:
Position 1: T
Position 2: S (immediate right of T)
Position 3: (unknown)
Position 4: P (second to the right of S)
Position 5: (unknown)
The remaining people are Q and R for positions 3 and 5.
R is not between P and T. Going clockwise from T (position 1) to P (position 4), the intermediate positions are 2 and 3. Since position 2 has S, position 3 must not have R.
Therefore:
- Position 3: Q
- Position 5: R
The complete arrangement is:
Position 1: T
Position 2: S
Position 3: Q
Position 4: P
Position 5: R
Second to the left of T means counter-clockwise by 2 positions from position 1:
Position 1 → Position 5 → Position 4
Position 4 has P.
Therefore, P is second to the left of T.
Related questions:
2022: 23 Aug Shift 1