ICAI Notes- Seating Arrangements | Quantitative Aptitude for CA Foundation PDF Download

 Page 1


w To understand the Logical statements involved in the Seating Arrangements.
w To understand the types of Seating Arrangements.
 The process of making a group of people to sit as per a prefixed manner is called Seating 
Arrangement. In these of questions, some conditions are given on the basis of which students
are required to arrange objects, either in a row or in a circular order. 
11
CHAPTER
SEATING  
ARRANGEMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 11.1 BASED ON VARIOUS PATTERN OF SITTING ARRANGEMENTS 
ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 
1) Linear Arrangements 
2) Circular Arrangements 
3) Polygon Arrangements
Here we are limited to our topic linear and circular arrangements only. While making arrangements, 
it should be noted that all the conditions given are complied with. These type of questions generally 
involve five to eight individuals arranged in a certain manner or pre-conditions. They may have to 
be arranged in a circle or in a row accordingly.
Sometimes these questions are made more difficult by allowing an individual to a particular position 
with some conditions.
General instructions to Solve Seating Arrangement Questions are as follows. 
1) First of all take a review on the given information. After performing this step, you would get an 
idea of the situation of people or objects.
2)	 Next,	 determine	 the	 usefulness	 of	 each	 information’s	 and	 classify	 them	 accor dingly	 into	 ‘definite	
information’,	‘comparative	information’	and	‘negative	information’.
3) When the place of any objects or persons is definitely mentioned then we say that it is a definite 
information, X is sitting on the right end of the bench.
4) When the place of any object or person is not mentioned definitely but mentioned only in the 
comparison of another person or object, then we say that it is a comparative information.
 Example 1: A is sitting second to the right of E. This type of information can be helpful when we 
can get the definite information about E.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Page 2


w To understand the Logical statements involved in the Seating Arrangements.
w To understand the types of Seating Arrangements.
 The process of making a group of people to sit as per a prefixed manner is called Seating 
Arrangement. In these of questions, some conditions are given on the basis of which students
are required to arrange objects, either in a row or in a circular order. 
11
CHAPTER
SEATING  
ARRANGEMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 11.1 BASED ON VARIOUS PATTERN OF SITTING ARRANGEMENTS 
ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 
1) Linear Arrangements 
2) Circular Arrangements 
3) Polygon Arrangements
Here we are limited to our topic linear and circular arrangements only. While making arrangements, 
it should be noted that all the conditions given are complied with. These type of questions generally 
involve five to eight individuals arranged in a certain manner or pre-conditions. They may have to 
be arranged in a circle or in a row accordingly.
Sometimes these questions are made more difficult by allowing an individual to a particular position 
with some conditions.
General instructions to Solve Seating Arrangement Questions are as follows. 
1) First of all take a review on the given information. After performing this step, you would get an 
idea of the situation of people or objects.
2)	 Next,	 determine	 the	 usefulness	 of	 each	 information’s	 and	 classify	 them	 accor dingly	 into	 ‘definite	
information’,	‘comparative	information’	and	‘negative	information’.
3) When the place of any objects or persons is definitely mentioned then we say that it is a definite 
information, X is sitting on the right end of the bench.
4) When the place of any object or person is not mentioned definitely but mentioned only in the 
comparison of another person or object, then we say that it is a comparative information.
 Example 1: A is sitting second to the right of E. This type of information can be helpful when we 
can get the definite information about E.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.2
LOGICAL REASONING
5) A part of definite information may consist of negative information. A negative information does 
not tell us anything definitely but it gives an idea to eliminate a possibility.
 Example 2: C is not sitting on the immediate left of A.
 11.2 TYPE-1 LINEAR ARRANGEMENT
In this type of arrangement, we arrange objects or persons in a line or row. The arrangement is done 
only	 on	 one	 ‘axis’	 and	 hence,	 the	 position	 of	 persons	 or	 objects	 assumes	 importance	 in	 terms	 of	 or der	
like positions. In this type of arrangement, we take directions according to our left and right.
Steps to Solve the Linear Arrangements: 
(a) Identify the number of objects and their names.
(b) Use pictorial method to represent the people or objects and their positions.
(c) Arrange the information with relevant facts and their positions and try to find out the solution.
(d) Answer the questions based on the arrangement having made. 
Ther e	 are 	 few	 wor ds	 which	 must	 be	 paid	 adequate	 attention,	 i.e.,	 ‘between’	 means	 sandwiched,	
‘immediate	 left’	 is	 dif fer ent	 fr om	 ‘to	 the	 left’.	To 	 understand	 it	 let	 us	 see	 some	 pictorial	 r epr esentation.
When direction of face is not clear, then we take One Row Sequence
(A) When direction of face is not clear, then we take based on diagram will be as follows:
 P Q R S T 
Left    Right
      
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Q, R, S, T are right of P but only Q is the immediate right of P . 
(ii) S, R, Q, P are left of T but only S is the immediate left of T.
(iii) R, S, T are right of Q only R is the immediate right of Q.
(iv) R, Q, P are left of S but only R is the immediate left of S.
(v) S and T are right of R but only S is the immediate right of R. 
(vi) Q and P are left of R but only Q is the immediate left of R.
(vii) P is the immediate left of Q while T is the immediate right of S.
(B) When direction of face is towards you, then the diagram will be as follows:
Right     Left
     
 P Q R S T 
N
E
S
W
N
E
S
W
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Page 3


w To understand the Logical statements involved in the Seating Arrangements.
w To understand the types of Seating Arrangements.
 The process of making a group of people to sit as per a prefixed manner is called Seating 
Arrangement. In these of questions, some conditions are given on the basis of which students
are required to arrange objects, either in a row or in a circular order. 
11
CHAPTER
SEATING  
ARRANGEMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 11.1 BASED ON VARIOUS PATTERN OF SITTING ARRANGEMENTS 
ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 
1) Linear Arrangements 
2) Circular Arrangements 
3) Polygon Arrangements
Here we are limited to our topic linear and circular arrangements only. While making arrangements, 
it should be noted that all the conditions given are complied with. These type of questions generally 
involve five to eight individuals arranged in a certain manner or pre-conditions. They may have to 
be arranged in a circle or in a row accordingly.
Sometimes these questions are made more difficult by allowing an individual to a particular position 
with some conditions.
General instructions to Solve Seating Arrangement Questions are as follows. 
1) First of all take a review on the given information. After performing this step, you would get an 
idea of the situation of people or objects.
2)	 Next,	 determine	 the	 usefulness	 of	 each	 information’s	 and	 classify	 them	 accor dingly	 into	 ‘definite	
information’,	‘comparative	information’	and	‘negative	information’.
3) When the place of any objects or persons is definitely mentioned then we say that it is a definite 
information, X is sitting on the right end of the bench.
4) When the place of any object or person is not mentioned definitely but mentioned only in the 
comparison of another person or object, then we say that it is a comparative information.
 Example 1: A is sitting second to the right of E. This type of information can be helpful when we 
can get the definite information about E.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.2
LOGICAL REASONING
5) A part of definite information may consist of negative information. A negative information does 
not tell us anything definitely but it gives an idea to eliminate a possibility.
 Example 2: C is not sitting on the immediate left of A.
 11.2 TYPE-1 LINEAR ARRANGEMENT
In this type of arrangement, we arrange objects or persons in a line or row. The arrangement is done 
only	 on	 one	 ‘axis’	 and	 hence,	 the	 position	 of	 persons	 or	 objects	 assumes	 importance	 in	 terms	 of	 or der	
like positions. In this type of arrangement, we take directions according to our left and right.
Steps to Solve the Linear Arrangements: 
(a) Identify the number of objects and their names.
(b) Use pictorial method to represent the people or objects and their positions.
(c) Arrange the information with relevant facts and their positions and try to find out the solution.
(d) Answer the questions based on the arrangement having made. 
Ther e	 are 	 few	 wor ds	 which	 must	 be	 paid	 adequate	 attention,	 i.e.,	 ‘between’	 means	 sandwiched,	
‘immediate	 left’	 is	 dif fer ent	 fr om	 ‘to	 the	 left’.	To 	 understand	 it	 let	 us	 see	 some	 pictorial	 r epr esentation.
When direction of face is not clear, then we take One Row Sequence
(A) When direction of face is not clear, then we take based on diagram will be as follows:
 P Q R S T 
Left    Right
      
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Q, R, S, T are right of P but only Q is the immediate right of P . 
(ii) S, R, Q, P are left of T but only S is the immediate left of T.
(iii) R, S, T are right of Q only R is the immediate right of Q.
(iv) R, Q, P are left of S but only R is the immediate left of S.
(v) S and T are right of R but only S is the immediate right of R. 
(vi) Q and P are left of R but only Q is the immediate left of R.
(vii) P is the immediate left of Q while T is the immediate right of S.
(B) When direction of face is towards you, then the diagram will be as follows:
Right     Left
     
 P Q R S T 
N
E
S
W
N
E
S
W
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.3
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Left of P = Q, R, S and T
(ii) Right of T = S, R, Q and P
(iii) Q is immediate left of P; R is immediate left of Q; S is immediate left of R and T is immediate left 
of S.
(iv) S is immediate right of T; R is immediate right of S; Q is immediate right of R; and P is immediate 
right of Q.
Two Rows Sequence
Let us see 6 persons seating in two rows.
A B C Right Left
Left Right
D E F
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) A is sitting opposite D
(ii) B is sitting opposite E 
(iii) C is sitting opposite F
(iv) D and C are sitting at diagonally opposite positions
(iv) A and F are sitting at diagonally opposite positions.
Example 3:	 Four	 Childr en’s	 are 	 sitting	 in	 arr ow .	 A 	 is	 occupying	 seat	 next	 to	 B	 but	 not	 next	 to	 C.	 If	 C	 is	
not sitting next to D ? Who is occupying seat adjacent to D.
(a) B  (b) B and A  (c) Impossible to tell   (d) A
Solution: (d) The arrangements as per given information is possible only if C is sitting next to B and 
D is sitting next to A.
Therefore, two possible arrangements are C, B, A, D, or D, A, B, C 
Clearly, only A is sitting adjacent to D: 
Example 4: P , Q, R, S, T, U, V and W are sitting in a row facing North. 
(i) P is fourth to the right of T
(ii) W is fourth to the left of S
(iii) R and U, which are not at the ends, are neighbours of Q and T respectively. 
(iv) W is next to the left of P and P is the neighbour of Q. Who are sitting at the extreme ends ? 
Solution:
From information 
(i) We get that there are three persons between P and TXXXP .
In the information (iv), it is given that W is next to the left of P and Q is the neighbour of P . Using the 
information with (i), we get TXXWPQ.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Page 4


w To understand the Logical statements involved in the Seating Arrangements.
w To understand the types of Seating Arrangements.
 The process of making a group of people to sit as per a prefixed manner is called Seating 
Arrangement. In these of questions, some conditions are given on the basis of which students
are required to arrange objects, either in a row or in a circular order. 
11
CHAPTER
SEATING  
ARRANGEMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 11.1 BASED ON VARIOUS PATTERN OF SITTING ARRANGEMENTS 
ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 
1) Linear Arrangements 
2) Circular Arrangements 
3) Polygon Arrangements
Here we are limited to our topic linear and circular arrangements only. While making arrangements, 
it should be noted that all the conditions given are complied with. These type of questions generally 
involve five to eight individuals arranged in a certain manner or pre-conditions. They may have to 
be arranged in a circle or in a row accordingly.
Sometimes these questions are made more difficult by allowing an individual to a particular position 
with some conditions.
General instructions to Solve Seating Arrangement Questions are as follows. 
1) First of all take a review on the given information. After performing this step, you would get an 
idea of the situation of people or objects.
2)	 Next,	 determine	 the	 usefulness	 of	 each	 information’s	 and	 classify	 them	 accor dingly	 into	 ‘definite	
information’,	‘comparative	information’	and	‘negative	information’.
3) When the place of any objects or persons is definitely mentioned then we say that it is a definite 
information, X is sitting on the right end of the bench.
4) When the place of any object or person is not mentioned definitely but mentioned only in the 
comparison of another person or object, then we say that it is a comparative information.
 Example 1: A is sitting second to the right of E. This type of information can be helpful when we 
can get the definite information about E.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.2
LOGICAL REASONING
5) A part of definite information may consist of negative information. A negative information does 
not tell us anything definitely but it gives an idea to eliminate a possibility.
 Example 2: C is not sitting on the immediate left of A.
 11.2 TYPE-1 LINEAR ARRANGEMENT
In this type of arrangement, we arrange objects or persons in a line or row. The arrangement is done 
only	 on	 one	 ‘axis’	 and	 hence,	 the	 position	 of	 persons	 or	 objects	 assumes	 importance	 in	 terms	 of	 or der	
like positions. In this type of arrangement, we take directions according to our left and right.
Steps to Solve the Linear Arrangements: 
(a) Identify the number of objects and their names.
(b) Use pictorial method to represent the people or objects and their positions.
(c) Arrange the information with relevant facts and their positions and try to find out the solution.
(d) Answer the questions based on the arrangement having made. 
Ther e	 are 	 few	 wor ds	 which	 must	 be	 paid	 adequate	 attention,	 i.e.,	 ‘between’	 means	 sandwiched,	
‘immediate	 left’	 is	 dif fer ent	 fr om	 ‘to	 the	 left’.	To 	 understand	 it	 let	 us	 see	 some	 pictorial	 r epr esentation.
When direction of face is not clear, then we take One Row Sequence
(A) When direction of face is not clear, then we take based on diagram will be as follows:
 P Q R S T 
Left    Right
      
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Q, R, S, T are right of P but only Q is the immediate right of P . 
(ii) S, R, Q, P are left of T but only S is the immediate left of T.
(iii) R, S, T are right of Q only R is the immediate right of Q.
(iv) R, Q, P are left of S but only R is the immediate left of S.
(v) S and T are right of R but only S is the immediate right of R. 
(vi) Q and P are left of R but only Q is the immediate left of R.
(vii) P is the immediate left of Q while T is the immediate right of S.
(B) When direction of face is towards you, then the diagram will be as follows:
Right     Left
     
 P Q R S T 
N
E
S
W
N
E
S
W
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.3
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Left of P = Q, R, S and T
(ii) Right of T = S, R, Q and P
(iii) Q is immediate left of P; R is immediate left of Q; S is immediate left of R and T is immediate left 
of S.
(iv) S is immediate right of T; R is immediate right of S; Q is immediate right of R; and P is immediate 
right of Q.
Two Rows Sequence
Let us see 6 persons seating in two rows.
A B C Right Left
Left Right
D E F
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) A is sitting opposite D
(ii) B is sitting opposite E 
(iii) C is sitting opposite F
(iv) D and C are sitting at diagonally opposite positions
(iv) A and F are sitting at diagonally opposite positions.
Example 3:	 Four	 Childr en’s	 are 	 sitting	 in	 arr ow .	 A 	 is	 occupying	 seat	 next	 to	 B	 but	 not	 next	 to	 C.	 If	 C	 is	
not sitting next to D ? Who is occupying seat adjacent to D.
(a) B  (b) B and A  (c) Impossible to tell   (d) A
Solution: (d) The arrangements as per given information is possible only if C is sitting next to B and 
D is sitting next to A.
Therefore, two possible arrangements are C, B, A, D, or D, A, B, C 
Clearly, only A is sitting adjacent to D: 
Example 4: P , Q, R, S, T, U, V and W are sitting in a row facing North. 
(i) P is fourth to the right of T
(ii) W is fourth to the left of S
(iii) R and U, which are not at the ends, are neighbours of Q and T respectively. 
(iv) W is next to the left of P and P is the neighbour of Q. Who are sitting at the extreme ends ? 
Solution:
From information 
(i) We get that there are three persons between P and TXXXP .
In the information (iv), it is given that W is next to the left of P and Q is the neighbour of P . Using the 
information with (i), we get TXXWPQ.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.4
LOGICAL REASONING
By the information (ii), TXXWPQXS
By the information (iii),
T U V W P Q R S
So, T and S are sitting at the extreme ends.
Example 5: There are Five houses P , Q , R, S, T . P is immediate right of Q and T is immediate left of 
R and immediate right of P . Q is right of S. Which house in the middle.
(a) P  (b) Q  (c) R (d) T 
Solution: According to the question the houses can be arranged as follows. Assuming all houses are 
facing towards North.
S Q P T R
Therefore, house P is middle.
Example 6: Five friends are sitting on a bench. A is to the immediate left of B but on the immediate 
right of C, D is to the immediate right of B but on the immediate left of E. Who are at the extremes?
(a) A, B (b) A, D (c) C, E (d) B, D
Solution: Arrangements according to the question as follows. Assuming all students are facing 
towards North.
Left 
C A B D E
 Right
Clearly C and E are the extremes. 
Example 7: In a college party, 5 girls are sitting in a row. P is to the immediate left of M and to the 
immediate right of O. R is sitting to the immediate right of N but to the left of O. Who is sitting in the 
middle?
(a) O  (b) R  (c) P  (d) M
Solution: (a) arrangements of the question as follows.
Left  
N R O P M
  Right
Therefore, O is sitting in the middle.
Example 8: Five boys A, B, C, D and E are standing in a row. D is on the immediate right of E, B is 
on the immediate left of E but on the immediate right of A. D is one the immediate left of C, who is 
standing on the extreme right. Who is standing in the middle?
(a) B  (b) C  (c) D  (d) E
Solution: The sequence of Boys as follows. Assuming all boys are sitting towards North.
Left End  
A B E D C
 Right
There E is standing in the middle.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Page 5


w To understand the Logical statements involved in the Seating Arrangements.
w To understand the types of Seating Arrangements.
 The process of making a group of people to sit as per a prefixed manner is called Seating 
Arrangement. In these of questions, some conditions are given on the basis of which students
are required to arrange objects, either in a row or in a circular order. 
11
CHAPTER
SEATING  
ARRANGEMENTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 INTRODUCTION
 11.1 BASED ON VARIOUS PATTERN OF SITTING ARRANGEMENTS 
ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 
1) Linear Arrangements 
2) Circular Arrangements 
3) Polygon Arrangements
Here we are limited to our topic linear and circular arrangements only. While making arrangements, 
it should be noted that all the conditions given are complied with. These type of questions generally 
involve five to eight individuals arranged in a certain manner or pre-conditions. They may have to 
be arranged in a circle or in a row accordingly.
Sometimes these questions are made more difficult by allowing an individual to a particular position 
with some conditions.
General instructions to Solve Seating Arrangement Questions are as follows. 
1) First of all take a review on the given information. After performing this step, you would get an 
idea of the situation of people or objects.
2)	 Next,	 determine	 the	 usefulness	 of	 each	 information’s	 and	 classify	 them	 accor dingly	 into	 ‘definite	
information’,	‘comparative	information’	and	‘negative	information’.
3) When the place of any objects or persons is definitely mentioned then we say that it is a definite 
information, X is sitting on the right end of the bench.
4) When the place of any object or person is not mentioned definitely but mentioned only in the 
comparison of another person or object, then we say that it is a comparative information.
 Example 1: A is sitting second to the right of E. This type of information can be helpful when we 
can get the definite information about E.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.2
LOGICAL REASONING
5) A part of definite information may consist of negative information. A negative information does 
not tell us anything definitely but it gives an idea to eliminate a possibility.
 Example 2: C is not sitting on the immediate left of A.
 11.2 TYPE-1 LINEAR ARRANGEMENT
In this type of arrangement, we arrange objects or persons in a line or row. The arrangement is done 
only	 on	 one	 ‘axis’	 and	 hence,	 the	 position	 of	 persons	 or	 objects	 assumes	 importance	 in	 terms	 of	 or der	
like positions. In this type of arrangement, we take directions according to our left and right.
Steps to Solve the Linear Arrangements: 
(a) Identify the number of objects and their names.
(b) Use pictorial method to represent the people or objects and their positions.
(c) Arrange the information with relevant facts and their positions and try to find out the solution.
(d) Answer the questions based on the arrangement having made. 
Ther e	 are 	 few	 wor ds	 which	 must	 be	 paid	 adequate	 attention,	 i.e.,	 ‘between’	 means	 sandwiched,	
‘immediate	 left’	 is	 dif fer ent	 fr om	 ‘to	 the	 left’.	To 	 understand	 it	 let	 us	 see	 some	 pictorial	 r epr esentation.
When direction of face is not clear, then we take One Row Sequence
(A) When direction of face is not clear, then we take based on diagram will be as follows:
 P Q R S T 
Left    Right
      
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Q, R, S, T are right of P but only Q is the immediate right of P . 
(ii) S, R, Q, P are left of T but only S is the immediate left of T.
(iii) R, S, T are right of Q only R is the immediate right of Q.
(iv) R, Q, P are left of S but only R is the immediate left of S.
(v) S and T are right of R but only S is the immediate right of R. 
(vi) Q and P are left of R but only Q is the immediate left of R.
(vii) P is the immediate left of Q while T is the immediate right of S.
(B) When direction of face is towards you, then the diagram will be as follows:
Right     Left
     
 P Q R S T 
N
E
S
W
N
E
S
W
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.3
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) Left of P = Q, R, S and T
(ii) Right of T = S, R, Q and P
(iii) Q is immediate left of P; R is immediate left of Q; S is immediate left of R and T is immediate left 
of S.
(iv) S is immediate right of T; R is immediate right of S; Q is immediate right of R; and P is immediate 
right of Q.
Two Rows Sequence
Let us see 6 persons seating in two rows.
A B C Right Left
Left Right
D E F
From the above diagram, it is clear that
(i) A is sitting opposite D
(ii) B is sitting opposite E 
(iii) C is sitting opposite F
(iv) D and C are sitting at diagonally opposite positions
(iv) A and F are sitting at diagonally opposite positions.
Example 3:	 Four	 Childr en’s	 are 	 sitting	 in	 arr ow .	 A 	 is	 occupying	 seat	 next	 to	 B	 but	 not	 next	 to	 C.	 If	 C	 is	
not sitting next to D ? Who is occupying seat adjacent to D.
(a) B  (b) B and A  (c) Impossible to tell   (d) A
Solution: (d) The arrangements as per given information is possible only if C is sitting next to B and 
D is sitting next to A.
Therefore, two possible arrangements are C, B, A, D, or D, A, B, C 
Clearly, only A is sitting adjacent to D: 
Example 4: P , Q, R, S, T, U, V and W are sitting in a row facing North. 
(i) P is fourth to the right of T
(ii) W is fourth to the left of S
(iii) R and U, which are not at the ends, are neighbours of Q and T respectively. 
(iv) W is next to the left of P and P is the neighbour of Q. Who are sitting at the extreme ends ? 
Solution:
From information 
(i) We get that there are three persons between P and TXXXP .
In the information (iv), it is given that W is next to the left of P and Q is the neighbour of P . Using the 
information with (i), we get TXXWPQ.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.4
LOGICAL REASONING
By the information (ii), TXXWPQXS
By the information (iii),
T U V W P Q R S
So, T and S are sitting at the extreme ends.
Example 5: There are Five houses P , Q , R, S, T . P is immediate right of Q and T is immediate left of 
R and immediate right of P . Q is right of S. Which house in the middle.
(a) P  (b) Q  (c) R (d) T 
Solution: According to the question the houses can be arranged as follows. Assuming all houses are 
facing towards North.
S Q P T R
Therefore, house P is middle.
Example 6: Five friends are sitting on a bench. A is to the immediate left of B but on the immediate 
right of C, D is to the immediate right of B but on the immediate left of E. Who are at the extremes?
(a) A, B (b) A, D (c) C, E (d) B, D
Solution: Arrangements according to the question as follows. Assuming all students are facing 
towards North.
Left 
C A B D E
 Right
Clearly C and E are the extremes. 
Example 7: In a college party, 5 girls are sitting in a row. P is to the immediate left of M and to the 
immediate right of O. R is sitting to the immediate right of N but to the left of O. Who is sitting in the 
middle?
(a) O  (b) R  (c) P  (d) M
Solution: (a) arrangements of the question as follows.
Left  
N R O P M
  Right
Therefore, O is sitting in the middle.
Example 8: Five boys A, B, C, D and E are standing in a row. D is on the immediate right of E, B is 
on the immediate left of E but on the immediate right of A. D is one the immediate left of C, who is 
standing on the extreme right. Who is standing in the middle?
(a) B  (b) C  (c) D  (d) E
Solution: The sequence of Boys as follows. Assuming all boys are sitting towards North.
Left End  
A B E D C
 Right
There E is standing in the middle.
© The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
11.5
SEATING ARRANGEMENTS
Circular Arrangement:
In this arrangement, some persons are sitting around a circle and they are facing the centre.
Right
Left
Left
Right
Left Right
Right Left
1. Left movement is called clockwise rotation.
2.	 Right	movement	is	called	anti–clockwise	r otation.
 (i) The above presentation is for 4 persons but for any number of persons, the direction is taken 
in the same manner.
 (ii) For rectangular and sequence arrangement, directions are taken as discussed in two rows 
sequence.
Example 9: (Q Nos. 1 to 3) Study the following Question carefully and answer the given questions. 
Four ladies A, B, C and D and Four Gentlemen E, F, G and H are sitting in a circle around a table 
facing each other .
I. No two ladies or gentlemen are sitting side by side.
II. C, who is sitting between G and E, is facing D.
III. F is between D and A and facing G.
IV. H is to the right of B.
(1) Who is sitting left of A? 
 (a) E  (b) F  (c) G  (d) H
(2) E is facing whom? 
 (a) F  (b) B  (c) G  (d) H
(3) Who is immediate neighbour of B?
 (a) G and H  (b) E and F  (c) E and H  (d) F and H 
Solution: On the basis of given information in the question, the seating arrangements of the persons 
are as follows.
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