Seven boxes H, I, J, P, Q, R, and S are stacked one above the other, but not necessarily in this order. H is placed second from the bottom. Only three boxes are placed between H and S. J is placed somewhere below H. Only Q is placed between S and R. P is placed somewhere above S. How many boxes are placed between J and P?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

Explanation

The solution is derived by systematically placing each box according to the given rules, starting from the most definitive statements.
H is at position 2, which forces S to be at position 6 (three boxes between them).
J must be at position 1 (below H), and P must be at position 7 (above S).
The boxes between J (position 1) and P (position 7) are those at positions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Counting these boxes (H, I, R, Q, S) gives a total of five.

Option B: This is an incorrect count. It might result from misplacing one of the boxes or miscounting the final stack.
Option C: This is incorrect. This number comes from the clue 'three boxes are placed between H and S' but is not the answer to the question asked.
Option D: This is an incorrect count. This number comes from the clue 'Only Q is placed between S and R', which involves one box.

Visual 1: Diagram - A visual representation of the seven stacked boxes, clearly labeling the box name at each position from 1 to 7. This helps to visualize the final solution and count the boxes between J and P.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning - Arrangement Puzzle as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, logical reasoning is a critical skill for nurses for prioritizing tasks, managing patient care, and troubleshooting issues under pressure.
This type of problem-solving helps in developing systematic thinking, which is essential for following care protocols and making sound clinical judgments.
What if? - If the question stated 'J is placed immediately below H', the answer would remain the same, as position 1 is the only spot below position 2.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the total number of items and positions (7 boxes, 7 positions). It's helpful to draw or list the positions, e.g., 1 to 7.
Identify the most concrete statements. 'H is placed second from the bottom' is a fixed point to start from.
Use the initial fixed point to place other items. Placing H at position 2 allows you to place S at position 6.
Process each clue sequentially, filling in the arrangement. Use elimination to determine the positions of the remaining items.
Once the full arrangement is clear, re-read the question ('How many boxes are placed between J and P?') and use your final arrangement to find the answer.
Double-check your count to avoid simple errors.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-2026 (Shift -3rd)

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