UPSC Prelims 2014·CSAT·Logical Reasoning·Arrangement and Puzzles

Four children are sitting in a row. A is occupying the seat next to B but not next to C. If C is not sitting next to D, who is/are occupying seat/seats adjacent to D?

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  1. AB
  2. BACorrect
  3. CB and A
  4. DImpossible to tell

Explanation

Let's denote the four seats in a row as 1, 2, 3, 4.

We are given three conditions:

  1. A is next to B. (A and B are adjacent)
  2. A is not next to C. (A and C are not adjacent)
  3. C is not next to D. (C and D are not adjacent)

Let's deduce the possible arrangements:

Step 1: Analyze A's position.

  • Assume A is at an end seat, say position 1. Then B must be at position 2 (from condition 1). So, A B _ _.
  • From condition 2 (A not next to C), C cannot be at position 3. Therefore, C must be at position 4. The arrangement becomes A B D C (D fills the remaining spot).
  • Now, check condition 3 (C not next to D). In A B D C, D is at 3 and C is at 4, meaning they are adjacent. This violates condition 3. So, A B D C is an invalid arrangement.
  • A similar logic applies if A is at position 4 (_ _ B A). C would have to be at position 1, and D at position 2 (C D B A). Again, C and D are adjacent, violating condition 3.
  • Therefore, A cannot be at an end seat. A must be in a middle seat (position 2 or 3).

Step 2: A is in a middle seat.

Case 1: A is at position 2 (_ A _ _).

  • From condition 2 (A not next to C), C cannot be at position 1 or 3. So, C must be at position 4. The arrangement is now _ A _ C.
  • From condition 1 (A next to B), B must be at position 1 or 3.
    • If B is at position 1: B A _ C. D must be at position 3. Arrangement: B A D C. Check condition 3: D is at 3, C is at 4. They are adjacent. This is INVALID.
    • If B is at position 3: _ A B C. D must be at position 1. Arrangement: D A B C. Check all conditions:
      1. A next to B (yes, A at 2, B at 3).
      2. A not next to C (yes, B is between A and C).
      3. C not next to D (yes, A and B are between C and D). This arrangement (D A B C) is VALID.

Case 2: A is at position 3 (_ _ A _). (This is symmetrical to Case 1)

  • From condition 2 (A not next to C), C cannot be at position 2 or 4. So, C must be at position 1. The arrangement is now C _ A _.
  • From condition 1 (A next to B), B must be at position 2 or 4.
    • If B is at position 4: C _ A B. D must be at position 2. Arrangement: C D A B. Check condition 3: C is at 1, D is at 2. They are adjacent. This is INVALID.
    • If B is at position 2: C B A _. D must be at position 4. Arrangement: C B A D. Check all conditions:
      1. A next to B (yes, B at 2, A at 3).
      2. A not next to C (yes, B is between A and C).
      3. C not next to D (yes, B and A are between C and D). This arrangement (C B A D) is VALID.

Step 3: Identify who is adjacent to D in the valid arrangements. We have found two valid arrangements:

  1. D A B C: D is at position 1. The seat adjacent to D is position 2, occupied by A.
  2. C B A D: D is at position 4. The seat adjacent to D is position 3, occupied by A.

In both valid arrangements, A is the person occupying the seat adjacent to D.

The final answer is B

Logical Reasoning: Four children are sitting in a row. A is occupying the seat next to B but not next to C. If C is not sitting next to D,

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