Question

P. Q. R. S and T are sitting in a straight row, facing north. Neither Q nor S sit at the exact central position of the row. R is adjacent to S, while P and T are sitting at the extreme ends of the row. Who is sitting at the exact central position of the row?

• A. Q
• B. R
• C. S
• D. T

Answer 1

Answer:

B. R

• Correct Answer: Option B (R)

• Given conditions:

  • P, Q, R, S, and T are sitting in a straight row facing north (5 people = 5 positions)

  • P and T are sitting at the extreme ends of the row → Positions 1 and 5

  • Neither Q nor S sit at the exact central position (Position 3)

  • R is adjacent to S

• Step-by-step Arrangement

• Since P and T occupy positions 1 and 5 (the extreme ends), the remaining people Q, R, and S must occupy positions 2, 3, and 4.

• Since neither Q nor S can sit at the exact central position (Position 3), R must be at Position 3 (the center).

• So Q and S occupy positions 2 and 4 (in any order).

• Since R is adjacent to S, and R is at Position 3:

  • S can be at Position 2 or Position 4 ✅ (both are adjacent to Position 3)

• Final Arrangement:

  Position 1	Position 2	Position 3	Position 4	Position 5
  P/T	Q/S	R	S/Q	T/P

• Therefore, R sits at the exact central position of the row.

Key Facts to Remember:

• In a row of n persons, the exact central position is (n+1)/2 → For 5 persons, it's Position 3

• When extreme ends are fixed, focus on the remaining middle positions

• Use elimination method — if Q and S are ruled out from the center, the center must belong to the remaining person (R)