P, Q, R, S, T are sitting in a circle. R is to the immediate right of Q. T is between P and S. Who is sitting to the immediate left of R?

Appeared in: NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The problem provides two key clues about the seating arrangement of five people in a circle.
The first clue, 'R is to the immediate right of Q', is a definitive statement that fixes their relative positions.
In any circular or linear arrangement, if one person (R) is to the immediate right of another (Q), it logically follows that the second person (Q) must be to the immediate left of the first (R).
The second clue ('T is between P and S') helps to determine the full arrangement but is not necessary to answer the specific question about R's immediate left.

Option A: In the final arrangement (Q-R-S-T-P), P is sitting to the immediate left of Q, not R.
Option C: T is seated between P and S. In the final arrangement, T is two positions away from R.
Option D: S is sitting to the immediate right of R, not to the left.

Visual 1: Diagram - A circular diagram with 5 positions showing the final seating arrangement of P, Q, R, S, and T. Arrows can indicate the 'left' and 'right' direction, highlighting that Q is to the immediate left of R.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Circular Seating Arrangement as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests logical and spatial reasoning, a critical thinking skill essential for nurses.
Nurses use logical reasoning daily for tasks like prioritizing patient care based on acuity, troubleshooting equipment, and interpreting complex patient data to make sound clinical judgments.
What if? - If the clue was 'R is two places to the right of Q', the person to R's immediate left would be the one who was to Q's immediate right. In our final arrangement, that would be S.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the number of people (5) and the shape of the arrangement (circle).
Draw a circle with five empty slots to represent the seats.
Analyze the clues one by one. Start with the most definite clue: 'R is to the immediate right of Q'. Place this pair (Q-R) in two adjacent slots.
Remember that 'immediate right' implies 'immediate left' for the other person. So, Q is immediately to R's left. This directly answers the question.
Use the second clue, 'T is between P and S', to place the remaining three people in the three empty slots to confirm the full arrangement.
Review your diagram and re-read the question ('Who is sitting to the immediate left of R?') to confirm your answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 5 Prelims - Sept 2023 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.