Ranking & Seating Arrangement • Topic 2 of 4

Linear Arrangement

People sit in a single row. Fix the most concrete clue first (someone at an end, or two people adjacent), then add relative clues ('A is to the immediate left of B'). Decide the facing direction — if all face North, 'left' is the arranger's left.

Build from the firmest clue

Draw the row of empty seats, then place the most definite clue first (an end seat, or a fixed adjacency). Add relative clues around it. Pencil in only what is forced — leave the rest blank.

1 2 3 4 5 left end right end
Number the seats first; if everyone faces you (North), the arranger's left is seat 1's side.
Mind the facing. If the people face you (i.e., face North/toward the reader), their left is your right. SSC usually says "all facing north" — then "left/right" is the normal reader's left/right.

✅ Solved examples

1. In a North-facing row, A is immediately left of B. Who is to B's left?
A is to B's left.
2. P is 2nd from left in a row of 5. How many are to P's right?
5 − 2 = 3.
3. If X is immediately right of Y, and Y is at position 3, X is at?
Position 4.
4. Row of 6, M is 2nd from left. To M's right?
6 − 2 = 4.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. Row of 6, M is 2nd from left. To M's right?
6−2.
—
—
4
2. A immediately left of B; B at seat 4. A is at?
One left.
—
—
Seat 3
3. North-facing: who is on B's right if C is immediately right of B?
Read off.
—
—
C
4. Row of 5, P at extreme right. P's position number from left?
Last seat.
—
—
5
5. Y at seat 2, X immediately right. X at?
2+1.
—
—
Seat 3

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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