Ranking & Seating Arrangement • Topic 4 of 4

Comparison & Ordering

Clues compare heights, ages or marks ('A is taller than B', 'C is shorter than B'). Build a single ordered line from tallest to shortest by chaining the comparisons, then read off who is highest, lowest, or in a given position.

Chain the comparisons into one line

Convert every clue to a single ordering symbol and link them. "A is taller than B" → A > B; "C is shorter than B" → B > C. Together: A > B > C. Now any "tallest / shortest / 2nd tallest" question reads straight off the chain.

A > B > C > D tallest shortest
Build one chain from all clues; tallest is at one end, shortest at the other.
Careful with "not". "A is not the tallest" only removes A from the top — it doesn't fix A's exact place. Use such clues to eliminate, then pin positions with the direct comparisons.

✅ Solved examples

1. A > B, B > C. Tallest?
A (order A > B > C).
2. P is older than Q, R is older than P. Oldest?
R (R > P > Q).
3. A > B, C > A. Who is shortest?
B (C > A > B).
4. In marks: X > Y, Y > Z, so the lowest scorer is?
Z.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. A > B > C > D. Second tallest?
From the top.
—
—
B
2. P < Q, Q < R. Tallest?
R > Q > P.
—
—
R
3. A older than B, C younger than B. Youngest?
A>B>C.
—
—
C
4. X > Y, Z > X. Highest?
Z>X>Y.
—
—
Z
5. A > B, B > C, C > D. Lowest?
End of chain.
—
—
D

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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