Refer to the following number series and answer the question below.

(Left) 6, 7, 4, 3, 2, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4, 6, 7, 5, 3, 9, 8, 7, 4, 1, 5, 8, 4, 1, 8, 1, 5, 9, 8, 5, 4, 7, 2 (Right)

If all the numbers in the above series are written in ascending order, which number will appear at the seventh position to the left of the eleventh position from the left?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Explanation

The first step is to rearrange the entire 32-number series in ascending (smallest to largest) order.
The sorted series begins: 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, ...
The question asks for a position relative to another: 'seventh to the left of the eleventh from the left'. This is a simple subtraction: 11 - 7 = 4.
The target is the 4th number in the sorted series.
Counting from the left in the sorted series (1, 1, 1, 2,...), the fourth number is 2.

Option A: The number 1 is found at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions in the sorted series, but not at the 4th position.
Option C: The number 4 is the first number to appear at the 9th position in the sorted series.
Option D: The number 3 first appears at the 6th position in the sorted series.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning and Number Series as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, this type of logical reasoning and attention to detail is a foundational skill for nurses.
Nurses must accurately interpret sequences of data, such as vital sign trends or lab results over time, where misinterpreting the order or position of a value could lead to incorrect clinical judgments.
This skill is also crucial for tasks like medication administration, which requires following multi-step procedures in the correct sequence without error.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the entire question to understand all the required steps. Identify the initial data (the number series) and the specific actions to perform (sort, find a position).
Break the positional instruction down. 'Seventh position to the left of the eleventh position from the left' is a calculation: 11 - 7.
Perform the primary action on the series: sort all the numbers in ascending order. It's helpful to write out the new, sorted series to avoid mistakes.
Execute the positional calculation to find the target position number (in this case, 11 - 7 = 4).
Locate the number at the calculated target position (the 4th number) in your sorted list.
Finally, match the number you found with the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

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