Seating Arrangement Sitting arrangement complete notes reasoning topic notes Wisdom helps

Seating Arrangement – Complete Notes

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1️⃣ Definition

Seating Arrangement is a reasoning topic where people or objects must be arranged according to certain conditions. It tests your logical placement and visualization skills.

2️⃣ Types of Seating Arrangements

• Linear Arrangement (single/double row)
• Circular Arrangement (facing centre or outside)
• Square / Rectangular Arrangement
• Complex / Mixed Arrangements

Formula Tip: For circular arrangements → (n − 1)! | For linear → n!

3️⃣ Direction Rules

• Facing North → your left hand = Left, your right hand = Right
• Facing South → Left and Right reverse - your left becomes right vice versa
• Facing Centre → Left = Clockwise, Right = Anticlockwise
• Facing Outside → Left = Anticlockwise, Right = Clockwise

Shortcuts:

1. Fix one person to avoid rotation confusion.
2. Place definite clues first (ends/opposites).
3. Use small rough sketches.

4️⃣ Linear Arrangement Examples

Example 1: Six people facing North

Clues: A,B,C,D,E,F in a row facing North. E is right of F. F is left of A. One person between B and C. D not at any end.

Step-by-step:

1. F–E–A together (E right of F, F left of A)
2. D is in middle
3. B and C have one between them → positions 1 & 2

Final Order: C – B – D – F – E – A (Facing North)

C — B — D — F — E — A
(Facing North)

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Example 2: Five people facing South

Clues: P at one end; Q immediate left of R; S not near P; T not at end.

Final Order: S – T – Q – R – P (Facing South)

S — T — Q — R — P
(Facing South)

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5️⃣ Circular Arrangement Examples

Example 1: 6 members (Facing Centre)

Clues: A right of B, C between A and D, E opposite B, F left of D.

Final clockwise order: B → A → C → D → F → E

        A
   F          B
   D          E
        C

Example 2: 8 members (Facing Outside)

Clues: P opposite T, Q right of P, R between Q and S, U left of V, W opposite S.

Final clockwise order: P → Q → R → S → W → T → U → V

        P
   V           Q
  U             R
   T           S
        W

Example 3: 5 members (Facing Centre)

Clues: B right of A, C left of D, E between A and D.

Final clockwise order: A → B → D → C → E

        A
    E        B
     C      D

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Some Solved Examples :

Example 1: Study the following information and answer the given questions.   Praveen , Queen, Rajesh, Suraj , Tarun , Umar , Wasi , and Zakir are sitting in a line facing north. Zakir sits third to the left of Suraj . Zakir  sits at the extreme end of the row. Only one person sat between   Suraj and Queen. Only two people sit between Queen and Wasi, who is an immediate neighbor of   Praveen. Umar sits third to the left of Rajesh. Who is an immediate neighbor of Tarun?
 solutions:   

Left side  - Z, P, W , S, U, Q, T, R - Right side

6️⃣ Exam Tips

• Mark directions (North/South/Centre/Outside) clearly.
• Start with definite clues (ends, opposites).
• Keep rough notes for elimination.
• Fix one reference person for circular questions.

✅ Practice Strategy: Always handle definite positions first, then relative ones. Draw small tables to visualize easily.

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