Seating Arrangement

Types: Linear, Circular, Rectangular, Row & Rank, Matrix
Always draw a blank diagram first – saves 30 s per set
Left/Right = your left/right when you face the same direction as the person
Clockwise = left-to-right in circular; Anti-clockwise = right-to-left
Opposite = (n/2) seats apart in even-circle; Adjacent = ±1 seat
“Who sits third to the left of X?” – start from X, count anti-clockwise
Immediate left/right – no gap
Same direction vs facing centre – direction decides left/right
Row-rank formula: Rank from left + Rank from right = Total + 1
Minimum persons between A & B = |positionA – positionB| – 1

Mnemonic	Use
LEFT = LOOK LEFT (your left when you face the row)	Never flip direction
CLOCK = COUNT CLOCKWISE	Circular left-to-right
Rank Rule Remember: L + R = T + 1	Row-rank quick calc
DRAW DIAGRAM DURING DATA	4-D rule – 15 s investment
ADJACENT = ALWAYS AT ARM’S LENGTH (±1)	Gap zero

Feature	Linear	Circular
Ends	2 fixed ends	No ends
Direction confusion	Low	High (clockwise rule)
Opposite seat	Not defined	Exactly across
Adjacent	2 max	2 max
Quick tip	Label 1 to n clockwise	Mark North-top, read clockwise

1. P, Q, R, S, T sit in a row. P is third from left. T is immediate right of P. Q is left of P but not immediate. Who is at extreme right?

Answer: S

2. Six persons sit around a circle facing centre. A is third to right of B, who is left of C. Who is opposite C?

Answer: A

3. In a row of 40 boys, Ram is 15th from left. What is his rank from right?

Answer: 26

4. A matrix 5×5. A is 3rd row, 2nd column. B is 4th row, 4th column. How many persons are between them in the same column?

Answer: 0

5. Eight around a table; clockwise: M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T. Who is 3rd to left of Q?

Answer: N

6. If all seats face centre, “immediate left” means which direction?

Answer: Anti-clockwise next

7. In a row, X is 8th from left, Y is 7th from right, 3 boys between them. Total boys?

Answer: 18

8. Who can sit between A and B in a circular arrangement of 6, if A and B are opposite?

Answer: 2 persons

9. Minimum persons required so that exactly 4 sit between P and Q in a circle?

Answer: 10

10. Quick calc: Rank from left = 12, Total = 30. Rank from right?

Answer: 19