L, M, N, O, P, Q, R and S are sitting around a circular table, facing the centre. L sits fourth to the right of S and second to the left of Q. N is not a neighbour of Q or M. O sits third to the right of N. S does not sit next to R.
What is the position of M with respect to N?
I. Second to the right
II. Sixth to the left
III. Third to the left
IV. Fifth to the right
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Both III and IV
When people sit around a table facing the centre, moving to a person’s left means moving clockwise and moving to the right means moving anticlockwise. With 8 seats, a seat that is \(k\) places to the left is also \(8-k\) places to the right.
L is fourth to the right of S; in 8 seats this puts L opposite S
L is second to the left of Q, so Q is second to the right of L
N is not next to Q, and O is third to the right of N:
N is not next to Q, so N is first, second or third to the left of L (the seats between L and S on that side)
If N were first to the left of L, O would fall on Q’s seat; if N were third to the left of L, O would fall on L’s seat
So N is second to the left of L, and O, third to the right of N, sits between L and Q
Three seats remain for M, P and R. M is not next to N, so M takes the seat between S and Q
R is not next to S, so R takes the seat between L and N, and P sits between N and S
Clockwise from L the order is L, R, N, P, S, M, Q, O
From N, moving left (clockwise): P, S, M, so M is third to the left of N
From N, moving right (anticlockwise): R, L, O, Q, M, so M is fifth to the right of N
Checking the statements
I. Second to the right — Incorrect. The person second to the right of N is L, not M.
II. Sixth to the left — Incorrect. Sixth to the left is the same seat as second to the right, which is L.
III. Third to the left — Correct. Moving clockwise from N, the third seat is M.
IV. Fifth to the right — Correct. Moving anticlockwise from N, the fifth seat is M.