In Sitting Arrangement, we should arrange things based on the information provided. There are three types of Sitting Arrangement.
1) Linear Arrangement
2) Circular Arrangement
3) Square/Rectangular arrangement.
The questions may be based on arranging persons on the basis of height or age or weight or finishing order in a race or some other situation.
Always remember that the information given is purposely less and it is sufficient to answer all the questions.
The first step to solve this kind of problems is DRAWING. If it is Circular arrangement draw a circle. Whatever it is Draw.
Example – 1 (A simple problem)
Six friends A, B, C, D, E, and F are seated in a circle facing inwards.
F is between A and D.
C is between E and B.
E is not between C and D.
D is second to the left of C.
Steps:
First – Draw a Circle.
Second – We know there are Six friend. So Mark six points in the circle.
Third  – Check statement 2. F is between A and D. It’s a circle. So you can place these 3 (F, A, and D) in any three places. The only condition is F should be in the middle of A and D.
Fourth – Check the last statement. Now you can place C easily.
Fifth – Now you have to place E and B. According to Statement V, E is not between C and D. That makes E to come between A and C. The only remaining place is for B.
Then based on this diagram, you have to answer 5 questions.
That’s it. :-).
Example -2Â
Six friends – Arun, Senthil, Praveen, Bharani, Avinnash, Karthik – are standing straight line facing North but not necessarily in same order.
- Arun is standing Fourth to the left of Karthik.
- Senthil is standing Second to the right of Bharani.
- Praveen is standing second to the right of Senthil.
- Karthik is not standing of the extreme end of this line.
Totally Six positions in a Straight Line. All are facing North.
When taking the first condition alone, we get two chances. That is Arun may either come in First Position or in Second Position. Based on Arun’s position Karthik may either come in 5th or 6th position. See Condition 4. Karthik is not in extreme end. So that make Karthik to come in V position and Arun in I position.
Arun – _____ – _____ – ______ – Karthik -______.
Now Condition 2. Senthil can come in position 4 or position 6. Assume he comes in position 6.
Arun – _____ – ______ – Bharani – Karthik – Senthil.
Our assumption is wrong. Because according to Statement 3, Praveen is standing to the right of Senthil.
So that makes Senthil to come in Place 4.
Arun – Bharani – _____ – Senthil – Karthik – Praveen.
The remaining place (3rd position) is for Avinnash.
Arun – Bharani – Avinnash – Senthil – Karthik – Praveen. Â
Example 3
Seven members A, B, C, D, E, F, G are sitting in a circle.
F is third to the left of B.
G is third to the left of A.
D is not the neighbour of G.
C is the neighbour of A.
B is to the immediate left of A.
Whenever solving with Circular Arrangements, we can take any condition and start drawing. It is not necessary to start from the first. In the above conditions, ‘A’ is there in 3 conditions. So it is better to start with the Second Condition.
Example 4
Five friends are sitting in a row facing North.
1. Dhivya is between Soumya and Sindhuja.
2. Sindhuja is to the immediate right of Amrutha.
3. Nisha is to the right of Soumya. Correct order is?
According to first condition – Sindhuja – Dhivya – Soumya (These 3 will stick in this order).
II Statement – Amrutha – Sindhuja – Dhivya – Soumya
III Statement – Amrutha – Sindhuja – Dhivya – Soumya – Nisha
Example – 5
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are sitting around the circle facing center.
1) F is Third to the right of B who is third to the right of H.
2) A is third to the left of H.
3) C is fourth to the left of A.
4) E is third to the right of D.
5) D is not the neighbour of A.
Follow from the First Condition. All other alphabets will fall in place easily.
Click this for TOUGH PROBLEMS IN SITTING ARRANGEMENT
