Sam, Pam, Ram, Tam, Dam, Lam have different heights. Lam is shorter than only Ram. Pam is shortest. Dam is shorter than Tam but taller than Sam. Who is 4th tallest?

Appeared in: UP NHM CHO 7 Sept 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The puzzle requires arranging six individuals (Sam, Pam, Ram, Tam, Dam, Lam) by height based on a set of relational clues.
The clue 'Dam is shorter than Tam but taller than Sam' establishes a fixed sequence: Tam > Dam > Sam.
After placing Ram (1st), Lam (2nd), and Pam (6th), the remaining slots are 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The sequence 'Tam > Dam > Sam' fills these slots, placing Dam in the 4th position.

Option A: Tam is taller than Dam. After placing Ram (1st) and Lam (2nd), Tam is the next tallest among the remaining unplaced individuals, making him the 3rd tallest.
Option B: The clue 'Lam is shorter than only Ram' directly places Lam as the 2nd tallest person in the group.
Option D: Sam is shorter than Dam. In the sequence 'Tam > Dam > Sam', Sam is the shortest of the three, placing him in the 5th position overall.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Ordering and Ranking as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests logical reasoning and the ability to synthesize multiple pieces of information to arrive at a single conclusion.
While not a clinical question, these analytical skills are crucial for nurses in prioritizing tasks, interpreting patient data from multiple sources (e.g., lab results, vital signs, patient reports), and making sound clinical judgments.
What if the clue was 'Dam is taller than Tam but shorter than Sam'? This would reverse the order to Sam > Dam > Tam. In this case, Sam would be 3rd, Dam 4th, and Tam 5th. The answer would remain Dam.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify all the individuals to be ranked (Sam, Pam, Ram, Tam, Dam, Lam) and the parameter for ranking (height).
Break down each clue and translate it into a direct statement about rank. For example, 'Lam is shorter than only Ram' means Ram is #1 and Lam is #2.
Use a placeholder system (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) to represent the ranks from tallest to shortest.
Place individuals whose ranks are definitively known first (e.g., Ram, Lam, Pam).
Use the relative ordering clues (e.g., 'Tam > Dam > Sam') to fill in the remaining empty slots.
Once the full order is established, re-read the question ('Who is 4th tallest?') and select the individual at that specific rank.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full UP NHM CHO 7 Sept 2022 (Shift-2)

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