E41, S2, P18-24

Game #4: Numbered Ordering/Misc.

Conceptualize the Game

This game requires that we place eight peopleF, G, H, I, K, M, O, and Pin eight seats
around a circular table. Note there is a one to one match between the number of people and the
number of seats. Every person will be seated, and every seat needs to be filled.

This is similar to a numbered ordering game in that the constraints give us information about the
fixed positions of the people (F directly across from G, H not next to F or K, O next to I).
However, this is game is unique in were asked to arrange people in a circle, not a straight line.
While we could use a standard number line to represent the eight seats, the number line fails to
provide a handy way to remember that seats 1 and 8 are actually adjacent to each other. For this
reason, well use a circular set up:

8 2

7 3

6 4

We dont really need to number the spaces (the circular nature of the setup makes the numbers
meaningless), but well use them here to make the spaces easier to refer to in writing. The
instructions tell us that two seats are directly across from each other if there are exactly three
seats between them. Thus, we can infer that seats 1 and 5 are directly across from each other, as
are 2 and 6, 3 and 7, and 4 and 8.
Setup
Lets diagram the constraints. The first constraint tells us that F and G are directly across from
each other, the second constraint tells us that H cant be adjacent to F or K, and the third
constraint tells us that I sits immediately clockwise from O. We can notate these constraints in a
few different ways. For example, we could choose to place the F/G constraint on the diagram
first. Note that if we started here, we could place F and G anywhere on the diagram, as long as
we put exactly three seats between them. Remember, the number associated with each seat is
irrelevant. Were not matching people to seat number in this game (remember, weve added the
seat numbers here for easy reference only). Thus, we could put F in 7 and G in 3, or F in 5 and G
in 1, and so on.

Alternatively, we could choose to start with the O/I constraint. Again, as long as we put the I
immediately clockwise from the O, this pair can go anywhere on the diagram to start. We could
put O in 1 and I in 2, or O in 6 and I in 7, and so on. Weve chosen to start here, and weve
arbitrarily chosen seats 1 and 2 for O and I, respectively:

F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4

Since we are starting with the placement of O and I, their position is now fixed. O and I will
always be in 1 and 2 respectively from here on out. The other implication is that the F/G pair is
now limited by the O and the I. Since F and G must be across from each other, we cant have an
F or G in seat 5 (O is already across from 5), and we cant have an F or G in seat 6 (I is already
across from 6):

F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
G

We can make an inference by exclusion here. If neither F nor G can go in 5 or 6, the only two
possibilities for F and G are 8 and 4 or 7 and 3. Keep in mind that we could have F in 7 and G in
3, or G in 7 and F in 3, for example. In other words, if F and G are to occupy seats 7 and 3, were
not sure which one, F or G, would go in 7 and which would go in 3. It could go either way.
 F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
G

The Questions

18. (C)
Question Type: Unconditional
The question asks us to identify from the choices one possible consecutive (no people seated
between them) and clockwise arrangement of four of the people.
(A) We can eliminate this answer immediately. Since F is directly across from G, we must
always have three people seated between F and G. In this case, we have just two.
(B) In order for this to work with our diagram, H would have to go in seat 8 (because O is fixed
in 1 and I is fixed in 2). So wed have HOIK in seats 8, 1, 2, and 3 respectively. But this leaves
no room for F and G to be across from each other! Remember, if F and G are going to be across
from each other, they must be placed in 7 and 3 or 8 and 4. If we already have an H in 8 and a K
in 3, we cant get F and G across from each other.
(C) Yes! IFPM would have to go in 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively (since I is fixed in seat 2). This
means G would go in seat 7 (to be across from F in 3). All we need to do now is assure ourselves
that we could get H in there without placing it next to F or K. We can indeed put H in 6 and K in
8, for example. We can move on without checking (D) and (E). That said, if were uncertain for
any reason, we can move to (D) and (E) and be sure that they are wrong.
(D) I needs to come immediately clockwise after O.

(E) H cannot be adjacent to K. F across from G

O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
G

19. (D)
Question Type: Conditional
If H and O each sits immediately next to G, then according to our diagram G must go in seat 8
and H must go in seat 7. If G is in 8, then F must be directly across from it in 4. And since H and
K cannot be adjacent, K is limited to seat 6 or seat 3. We can make a very quick temporary
sketch to track these inferences:

O
G I

F
K

(A) F and K will be adjacent to each other, so its impossible for them to both be next to P.
(B) O is fixed with G and I on either side, so O cant be next to P.
(C) We can see from the sketch that H and I cannot both be next to P.

(D) Yes! If P is in seat 6 and K in seat 5, P would be adjacent to both H and K. We can move on
to the next question.
F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
G
20. (A)
Question Type: Conditional
If G does not sit immediately next to H, then H is very limited. In this case, H cannot be next to
G, and we already know that H cant be next to K, or F. Furthermore, if H cant be next to F or
G, then H cant be placed in seats 3 or 8! Lets think about this. If H were to be placed in seat 8,
for example, then the F/G pair would have to go in 7 and 3 (directly across from each other).
This would put H next to either F or G. We can use similar logic to infer that H cant go in 3
either. Additionally, if H cant go in 3 or 8, then H cant be next to O or I! In summary, H cannot
be next to G, F, K, O, or I. Using an inference by exclusion, H must then be seated next to the
only two remaining letters: P and M.

The question asks which two people could be the people who sit next to M. We now know that
one of these must be H. We can quickly eliminate (B), (C), and (D). If H must be next to both P
and M, well have either P H M or M H P. Regardless, it would be impossible for M to be next to
both H and P, so we can eliminate answer (E).

F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
G
21. (C)
Question Type: Conditional
If M sits next to O, then M would have to go in seat 8. Additionally, the F/G pair would have to
go in seats 7 and 3, with F in 7 and G in 3, or the other way around.

O
M I

F/G G/F

Furthermore, K cant go in the bottom slot since that would leave the H immediately right or left
of the K (H cant be next to K). In fact, theres only one place for the K to go: adjacent to F (so
that the H can be on the other side next to G and away from both F and K). Thus, K must sit
adjacent to F.

F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
22. (A)
Question Type: Unconditional
Since this question asks us for the minimum number, we want to start with the smallest answer
and see if we can get it to work. If we can, we can choose it and move on. If we cant, well
move up to the next biggest answer choice. In this case, well start with zero.

Can we put M right next to I without violating any rules? Lets try it. We just need to be sure we
keep H away from K and F, and that we put F and G directly across from one another:

O
F I

K M

P G
H
It works, so (A) is the correct answer.
F across from G
O
HK
1 HF
I
8 2

7 3

6 4
F 5
G
F
23. (B)
Question Type: Conditional
If K sits directly across from I, then K must go in seat 6. If K is in 6, then H cannot go in 5 or 7
(H cannot be next to K). So, H seems limited to 3, 4, or 8. If H goes in 3, then G would have to
be in seat 4 and F in seat 8 (G and F across from each other, and H cant be next to F). So F
could go next to O. Eliminate (A). If H goes in 4, then G would go in 3 and F would go in 7, and
either P or M could go next to O in 8. Eliminate (D) and (E). If H goes in 8, does this work? Yes.
G in 7 and F in 3. Eliminate (C). The only answer remaining is (B). Lets make sure G cannot go
next to O in seat 8. If we put G in seat 8, then F would go in seat 4. H could not go anywhere
without being adjacent to either F or K.

24. (C)
Question Type: Conditional
Again, this question asks for the minimum, so well start with zero and see if we can get it to
work. Lets try to set it up such that K comes immediately clockwise after G without violating
any rules. We should be able to tell immediately that this wont work. If we put G and K in 3 and
4, for example, then F and H would go in 7 and 8 respectively. F and H cant be adjacent.
Eliminate (A).

We could try placing G and K such that one seat separates them, but this is impossible as well. If,
for example, we put G in seat 4 (which means F in 8) and K in 6, then there would be no way to
have H directly across from K (I already occupies the 2nd seat).

Lets see if we can get two to work:

O
F I

K H

P G
M
This does not violate any rules, so (C) is the answer.