Ranking (Order & Ranking Concept) – Notes by Wisdom Helps
🔹 Introduction
The Ranking topic in reasoning deals with finding the position (rank) of a person or object in a row, column, class, or competition. These questions are very common in RRB, SSC, Banking, and other competitive exams
🔹 Types of Ranking Questions
- Rank from one side (Single line concept): Find position from left/right side.
- Finding total number of persons: When rank from both sides is given.
- Interchange of positions: When two persons exchange their ranks.
- Comparison-based ranking: Based on who is taller/shorter/smarter.
- Rank after eliminations: When some candidates are removed.
🔹 Important Formulas & Shortcuts
- Total Persons:
Total = (Rank from Left + Rank from Right) – 1 - Position from opposite side:
(Total + 1) – Given Rank - After Interchanging: New position is based on their exchange and total strength.
- Rank in class (Marks Based): Arrange in descending/ascending order as per marks.
Type Wise Problems Solving :
1. Finding Rank When they Given Left or Right ranks and Total Members
Total Members = Left + Right -1
T = L + R -1
Total Members = Left + Right -1
T = L + R -1
Example : In a row of 80 boys, A is 8th from the left. Find his rank from the right.
Total = L + R -1
80=8+R-1
R= 73
So the Rank of A from Right side is 73
Example 2. If Ramya sri is 7th from the left in a row of 20 students, what is his position from the right?
So the Rank of A from Right side is 73
Example 2. If Ramya sri is 7th from the left in a row of 20 students, what is his position from the right?
T = L+R-1
20= 7+R-1
R=14
So the Rank of right side is 14
2. Finding total persons When Positions interchanged
Example : In a row of boys, if A, who is 11th from the left and B who is 7th from the right interchange their positions, A becomes 16th from left. How many boys are there in the row?
Ans: Here Clearly Understanding that A interchanging the position in place of B's Position so A becomes 16th from left side in the same place where B becomes 7 th from right side so clearly Our formula can be applied here
Total = 16+7-1=22 members
So, Total boys 22 members are there in the row
3. Finding total persons or between Persons When they given left or right side ranks
Example :
In a row, A is 9th from the left and B is 8th from the right. There are 8 persons between A and B. Find the total number of persons ?
sol : clearly Understanding A is 9 and B is 8 between them 8 persons are there so the total persons is equal to T = A+B + Between Persons
T=9+8+8=25 members
T=9+8+8=25 members
🔹 Examples
Q1. In a row of 40 boys, A is 7th from the left. Find his rank from the right.
✅ Formula: (40 + 1) – 7 = 34th from right
Q2. A is 9th from the left and 12th from the right. Find total number of students.
✅ Formula: (9 + 12) – 1 = 20 students
Q3. In a class of 60 students, R is 15th from the top. What is his rank from the bottom?
✅ Formula: (60 + 1) – 15 = 46th from bottom
🔹 Key Points to Remember
- Always check if the row/class is linear or two-sided.
- Carefully note from left / from right / from top / from bottom.
- Don’t forget to subtract 1 while calculating total persons.
- For interchange questions, draw a quick rough row for clarity.
Learn Reasoning class and notes and free pdfs click here REASONING CLASSES
Learn Aptitude classes click here APTITUDE CLASSES
✅ These notes are prepared by Wisdom Helps for students appearing in competitive exams.