UPSC Prelims 2026·CSAT·other·logical reasoning

Seven persons A, B, C, D, E, F and G travel by three cars X, Y, Z. A and another two of them travel by X. Only E travels with G. C travels by Z, but B does not travel by Y. Besides, A and B do not travel by the same car. Then which of the following are correct? I. No one travels alone. II. Only D travels with F. III. Only C travels with B. Select the answer using the code given below.

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Last updated 25 May 2026, 8:23 pm IST
  1. AI and II only
  2. BI and III onlyCorrect
  3. CII and III only
  4. DAll the three

Explanation

To determine the correct statements, we must systematically analyze the constraints given in this logical reasoning puzzle. There are 7 persons (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) distributed among 3 cars (X, Y, Z).

Step-by-step Deduction:

  1. Car X: "A and another two of them travel by X." Thus, Car X contains exactly 3 people: A and two others.
  2. Car Y & G's constraint: "Only E travels with G." This implies E and G travel together and are the only occupants of their car (exactly 2 people). Since Car X holds 3 people, E and G cannot be in Car X.
  3. Placing B: "C travels by Z." We are told "B does not travel by Y" and "A and B do not travel by the same car" (meaning B is not in Car X). Therefore, B must be in Car Z with C.
  4. Finalizing the Cars: With C and B in Car Z, E and G cannot be in Car Z. Thus, E and G must exclusively occupy Car Y. So, Car Y = {E, G} and Car Z = {C, B}.
  5. Remaining Persons: The unplaced persons are D and F. Since Car X requires two more people, D and F must join A. Car X = {A, D, F}.

Evaluating the Statements & Options:

  • Statement I: True. The cars contain 3, 2, and 2 people respectively; no one travels alone.
  • Statement II: False. F travels with both D and A, not only D.
  • Statement III: True. B is in Car Z, and its only other occupant is C.

Since Statement II is demonstrably false, Options A, C, and D are all incorrect because they incorrectly validate Statement II. Option B (I and III only) is the only correct choice.

Takeaway: In analytical arrangement puzzles, systematically isolate negative constraints (e.g., determining where B cannot go) to deduce definitive group placements.

other: Seven persons A, B, C, D, E, F and G travel by three cars X, Y, Z. A and another two of them travel by X. Only E travels

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