QUESTION

CSAT

Medium

Reasoning

Prelims 2016

Five people A, B, C, D, and E are seated at a round table. Every chair is spaced equidistant from adjacent chairs. i. C is seated next to A. ii. A is seated two seats from D. iii. B is not seated next to A.

On the basis of the above information, which of the following must be true?

  1. D is seated next to B.
  2. E is seated next to A.
  3. D and C are separated by two seats.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Explanation

Given Information: C is seated next to A. A is seated two seats away from D. B is not seated next to A.

Step-by-step Analysis:

  • Condition 1: "C is seated next to A." This means A and C are adjacent to each other at the round table. We can place C next to A, either on the left or right side of A.
  • Condition 2: "A is seated two seats from D." A cannot sit next to D, and there must be exactly one person between A and D. This means D must occupy a seat that is two places away from A in the circular seating arrangement.
  • Condition 3: "B is not seated next to A." This tells us that B cannot be adjacent to A. Therefore, B must sit somewhere other than directly next to A.

Conclusion: Now, let's deduce the seating arrangement:

  • Since C is seated next to A (Condition 1), and B is not seated next to A (Condition 3), B must be seated somewhere else. Since A is seated two seats away from D (Condition 2), and D cannot sit next to A, D must be seated next to B. Thus, D is seated next to B.
  • Since B cannot be seated next to A, and C is already next to A, the only remaining person who can sit next to A is E. Therefore, E must be seated next to A.
  • Lastly, based on the available information, the placement of D and C is not explicitly determined by the conditions provided, so we cannot conclude that "D and C are separated by two seats."

Final Conclusion:

  • Statement 1 is true: D must be seated next to B.
  • Statement 2 is true: E must be seated next to A.
  • Statement 3 is not necessarily true: The exact number of seats between D and C is not determined.

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