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QUESTION

CSAT

Hard

Reasoning

Prelims 2026

Two identical straight rods are painted in five distinct colours so that each of them gets divided into five equal parts along the length. In one of them, the portions are marked P1P1, P2P2, P3P3, P4P4 and P5P5 (not necessarily in that order) whereas in the other, they are marked Q1Q1, Q2Q2, Q3Q3, Q4Q4 and Q5Q5 (not necessarily in that order). When the rods are kept parallel to each other side by side, P1P1 and Q3Q3 match, P4P4 matches Q1Q1 or Q2Q2, and Q4Q4 matches P3P3 or P5P5. If Q3Q3 and Q5Q5 are adjacent, which of the following is/are possible? I. Q3Q3 is marked at the middle portion of the straight rod. II. P2P2 is marked at one of the extreme portions of the straight rod. Select the answer using the code given below.

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Explanation

Let's break down the given information step by step:

  1. Understanding the Alignment: Two identical straight rods are painted in five distinct colours. Because they are identical, the sequence of colours on both rods is exactly the same. When they are kept parallel side by side and their portions "match", it means they align perfectly and have the same colour. If they were shifted, none of the distinct colours would match. If they were placed in opposite directions, at most only the middle portion would match in colour. However, the problem gives us three matching pairs, which means the rods must be aligned perfectly in the same direction (Position 1 to 1, Position 2 to 2, etc.).

  2. Analyzing the Conditions: Let the 5 positions on the rods be 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. At each position, there is one PP label (from Rod 1) and one QQ label (from Rod 2). The given matching conditions tell us which labels share the same position:

  • P1P1 and Q3Q3 are at the same position.
  • P4P4 and (Q1Q1 or Q2Q2) are at the same position.
  • Q4Q4 and (P3P3 or P5P5) are at the same position.
  • Q3Q3 and Q5Q5 are adjacent (their position numbers differ by 1).
  1. Evaluating the Statements (Checking for Possibility): The question asks which of the statements is/are possible. We just need to find if there is at least one valid arrangement that satisfies all conditions for each statement.

Let's try to construct an arrangement where Q3Q3 is in the middle (Position 3) and P2P2 is at an extreme (Position 1 or 5):

  • Position 1: P2P2 and Q2Q2
  • Position 2: P3P3 and Q4Q4
  • Position 3: P1P1 and Q3Q3
  • Position 4: P5P5 and Q5Q5
  • Position 5: P4P4 and Q1Q1

Let's verify if this arrangement violates any rules:

  • Does P1P1 match Q3Q3? Yes, both are at Position 3.
  • Does P4P4 match Q1Q1 or Q2Q2? Yes, P4P4 matches Q1Q1 at Position 5.
  • Does Q4Q4 match P3P3 or P5P5? Yes, Q4Q4 matches P3P3 at Position 2.
  • Are Q3Q3 and Q5Q5 adjacent? Yes, Q3Q3 is at Position 3 and Q5Q5 is at Position 4.
  • Are all labels P1P5P1-P5 and Q1Q5Q1-Q5 used exactly once? Yes.
  1. Conclusion: In our perfectly valid arrangement:
  • Q3Q3 is at the middle portion (Position 3). Thus, Statement I is possible.
  • P2P2 is at an extreme portion (Position 1). Thus, Statement II is possible.

Since both scenarios can occur without violating any given conditions, both I and II are possible.

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