Overview: Situation Based Puzzles | Logical Reasoning for CLAT PDF Download

Puzzles are raw information given for a sequence or an order of things, which need to be arranged systematically, so that the sequence or order of things can be correctly depicted. In puzzles, candidates are provided with the information in jumbled or haphazard format. It checks the candidate’s ability such as both mental and analytical ability to decipher, sequence and analyze the given information into a meaningful and judgmental form, so as to come to the final decision or conclusion by following the systematic pattern of linking and interlinking one or several information with each other. The puzzle logical reasoning section is considered to be the most difficult part of reasoning, as there exists no set pattern or formulae to solve such problems.

What is Puzzle Reasoning?

As mentioned above, Puzzle reasoning is all about analyzing the given data, arranging them in given order, and marking the correct answer. Puzzle reasoning questions require candidates to analyze the given piece of information, pick the information that is important, and leave out the information that is not required in solving the given set of questions. 

Several types of Puzzle reasoning problems are asked in various government competitive exams such as Bank and Railways Recruitment Examinations. 

Types of Puzzle Reasoning

Now that we know what logical reasoning puzzles are, let us see the various types of questions that may come in your competitive exams. 

Floor Puzzle

In this type of logical puzzle reasoning, information of people living on different floors of the same or different building will be given. Candidates need to arrange them according to the given information. 

Scheduling Puzzle 

In this type of puzzle reasoning, data based on months, days, or years will be given. 

Double Line up / Multiple Variable Puzzle 

In these type of puzzle reasoning questions, information about different people will be given. Candidates need to arrange them according to the given data. 

Linear Puzzle

In this type of logical puzzle reasoning, candidates need to arrange people in a row or multiple rows according to the given conditions. 

Square Puzzle

In these type of puzzle reasoning questions, candidates are required to arrange different people around a square table. 

Box Puzzle

In this type of puzzle reasoning, candidates need to arrange the boxes one above another. 

Sample Reasoning Puzzle Questions with Answers

Q1: Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question. 
There are eight people A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H sitting around a circular table facing towards the centre (not necessarily in the same order). C is sitting second to the right of G. E is sitting immediately to the left of A who is facing C. D is sitting between A and G, B is sitting fourth to the left of G who is sitting immediately to the left of H.
Who is sitting fifth to the right of H?
Sol: 
According to the statement:

• C is sitting second to the right of G
• A who is facing C.
• E is sitting immediate left of A. 
• D is sitting between A and G. 
• G is immediate left of H.
• B is sitting fourth to the left of G. 
• So, A is sitting fifth to the right of H.

So, A is sitting fifth to the right of H.

Q2: Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question.
There are eight persons P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W sitting in a row(not necessarily in the same order) and facing east. T is sitting fourth to the right of Q. V is sitting third from the right end of the row. Q is sitting between U and W who is sitting third to the left of T who is sitting at a corner. P is sitting immediate left of U. R is sitting at the left corner of the row.
How many people sit to the right of W?
Sol: 

• V is sitting third from the right end of the row.
• R is sitting at the left corner of the row.
• T who is sitting at a corner.
• T is sitting fourth to the right of Q.
• Q is sitting between U and W.
• P is sitting immediate left of U.

So, there are three people sitting to the right of W.

Q3: Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question.
There are eight people F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M sitting around the square table (not necessarily in the same order) and facing inside the table.
L is sitting fifth to the left of F, who is an immediate neighbor of J. M is sitting second to the left of K, who is third to the right of L. I is not an immediate neighbor of K and M. G is sitting fourth to the left of I.
What is the position of K with the respect of H?
Sol: 
According to the statement:

• L is sitting fifth to the left of F.
• K who is third to the right of L.
• M is sitting second to the left of K.
• It is not an immediate neighbor of K and M. So, I is placed at right of F because if I placed at left of L then (G is sitting fourth to the left of I) this statementment can’t be true.
• F who is an immediate neighbor of J.
• G is sitting fourth to the left of I.
• F who is an immediate neighbor of J. And, H is sitting in the remaining place.

So, K is sitting Fourth to the left/right of H.

Q4: Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question.
Eight friends Ankit, Abhi, Akshay, Arjun, Arav, Anmol, Ankush and Atul live on different floors of an eight floors building, Ground floor is numbered as 1 and the topmost floor is numbered as 8. One person lives on each floor but not necessarily in the same order.
Atul lives on an odd-numbered floor but not on the bottom floor. Two friends live between Atul and Ankit. Ankit lives above the floor on which Atul lives. Three friends live between Akshay and Arjun. Arjun lives on an even-numbered floor. Arav lives just below Arjun. Arav lives on one of the floors above Abhi. Ankush lives above Anmol but below Abhi.
The number of floors above Ankit is the same as the number of floors below ________?
Sol:

1. Atul lives on an odd-numbered floor but not on the bottom floor.
2. Two friends live between Atul and Ankit.
3. Ankit lives above the floor on which Atul lives.
4. Three friends live between Akshay and Arjun.
5. Arjun lives on an even-numbered floor.
6. Arav lives just below Arjun.
7. Arav lives on one of the floors above Abhi. (This eliminates case 2)
8. Ankush lives above Anmol but below Abhi.

Hence, there will be two floors on which Atul lives.

Q5: Direction: Study the following information carefully and answer the given question.
P, R, T, V, X, Y, and Z are seven different people who belong to different cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Surat, not necessarily in the same order. P is not from Chennai. V is neither from Surat nor from Bengaluru. Either X or T is from Delhi. Y is from Mumbai. R is not from Bengaluru. V is neither from Pune nor from Chennai. Z is either from Surat or Bengaluru. T is not from Chennai. R is neither from Pune nor from Chennai.
Which city does R belong to?
Sol: 
Seven People: P, R, T, V, X, Y, and Z.
Cities’ Name: Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Surat
Note: All the information is not necessarily in the same order.

• P is not from Chennai.
• V is neither from Surat nor from Bengaluru.
• Either X or T is from Delhi.
• Y is from Mumbai.
• R is not from Bengaluru.
• V is neither from Pune nor from Chennai.
• Z is either from Surat or Bengaluru.
• T is not from Chennai.
• R is neither from Pune nor from Chennai.

Hence, we get that X is from Chennai and T is from Delhi so P is from Puna and Z is from Bengaluru.