(IGP) IAS Pre Paper - 2: GS - General Mental Ability - Sitting Arrangements

Here, we deal with the questions having information regarding arrangement. We are giving some objects and then we have to arrange them according to information provided. Objects are arranged either in row or in a circle on the basis of such conditions. In some questions, we will also deal with other arrangements like square/ pentagon/ hexagonal.

Different Types of Sitting Arrangement

There are two types of questions which are asked in various competitions

Type 1 Arrangement around a Closed Path

In such questions, we are giving some clues regarding arrangement. We have apply these clues on a circle and using these information,we have to find the solutions ofquestions associated with them. In this arrangement,we also deal square/pentagon/ hexagon, questions. Before solving type 1 questions, following facts arenecessary to know.

For Circular Arrangement

In this arrangement some persons are sitting around a circle and they facing the centre.

1. Leftmovement also called clockwise rotation.
2. Rightmovement also called anticlockwise rotation.

For Rectangular Arrangement

A « B (Fornt with each other)
C « D (Front with wach other)

For Hexagonal Arrangement

A« D (Front with each other)
B « E (Front with each other)
C« F (Front with each other)

Six personsM, N, 0, P, Q and R are playing cards sitting in a circle facing the centre. R is sitting between M and N and Q is sitting between 0 and P. P is sitting immediate right of M.

Example 6: Who is sitting immediate left of 0?
(a) R
(b) M
(c) Q
(d) P

Example 7: Who are the neighbours of R?
(a) M, N
(b) P, Q
(c) P, O
(d) Q, O
Solution. Given figure shows the correct arrangement of these six persons.

6. (c) Clearly, Q is sitting immediately left of 0.
7. (a) Clearly, M and N are the neighbours of R.

Type 2 Arrangement in a Line or Others

Sometime, we deal with questions where arrangement is required to be done in a line or others.
Before solving type 2 questions, following facts are necessary to know.
When A, B, C, D facing South direction and P, Q, R, S facing North direction in a line, then their position of Right and Left will be

When A, B in one line and P,Q in other line. then their diagonally opposite direction will be

A is diagonally opposite to Q. B is diagonally opposite to P.

Directions (Example 8) Read the following information carefully and answer the question based on it.
In a shop, the items were arranged in a shelf consisting of six rows. Biscuits are arranged above the tins of chocolates but below the rows of packets of chips, cakes are at the bottom and the bottles of pepermints are below the chocolates. The topmost row had the display of jam bottles.
Example 8: The bottles of peppermints are below the chocolates. The topmost row hat the display of jam bottles.Where exactly are the bottles of pepermints?Mention the place from the top?
(a) 2nd
(b) 3rd
(c) 4th
(d) 5th
Solution. (d) Jam’s bottles are at the top. Now,

Directions (Examples 9 to 12) Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given below Six friends A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting in a row facing towardsNorth. C is sitting between A and E. E is not at the end. B is sitting immediate right of E. F is not at the right end. D is sitting second to the left.
Example 9: How many persons are there to the right of D?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Example 10: Which of the following pairs is sitting to the left of D?
(a) F
(b) C
(c) E
(d) A
Example 11: Who is immediate left of C?
(a) A
(b) E
(c) Either E or A
(d) Cannot be determined
Example 12: Who is at the right end?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) E
(d) Cannot be determined
Solution. The given figure, shows the correct arrangement of six friends.

9. (d) There are four persons to the right D-A, C, E, B.
10. (a) Clearly, F is sitting to the left of D.
11. (a) It is clear from the diagram that A is to the immediate left of C.
12. (b) It is clear from the diagram that B is at the right end.

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