Olympiad Notes: Ranking Test | Science Olympiad for Class 5 PDF Download

Introduction to Ranking and Ordering

Ranking and Ordering questions involve arranging people, objects, or numbers based on a given set of conditions. These questions test your ability to analyze and interpret relative positions, ranks, and sequences.

Types of Ranking and Ordering Questions with Examples

1. Rank from the Top or Bottom:

In these questions, ranks are assigned from either the top or bottom of a sequence, and you need to figure out positions based on the given information.
Examples:

• Ram is 5th from the top in a class of 20 students. What is his rank from the bottom?
  Answer: 16th (Total students – Rank from top + 1 = 20 – 5 + 1)

• Sita is 4th from the bottom in a row of 15 students. What is her rank from the top?
  Answer: 12th (Total students – Rank from bottom + 1 = 15 – 4 + 1)

• There are 12 books on a shelf. If the 3rd book from the top is removed, what is the new rank of the 7th book from the top?
  Answer: 6th (Removing the 3rd book shifts the ranks of the books above it)

• Raj is 10th from the bottom in a line of 30 students. What is his rank from the top?
  Answer: 21st (Total students – Rank from bottom + 1 = 30 – 10 + 1)

• In a race, Ali finishes 8th from the top. How many runners finished after him if there were 20 participants?
  Answer: 12 (Total participants – Rank from top = 20 – 8)

2. Middle Position in Ranking:

These questions ask you to find the position of a person or object in the middle or between others.

Examples:

• If there are 15 students in a row, who is in the middle?
  Answer: 8th student (Middle rank = Total number of students ÷ 2, rounded up if odd)

• In a queue of 9 people, what is the position of the person exactly in the middle?
  Answer: 5th (Middle rank = 9 ÷ 2, rounded up)

• Ravi is 12th from the top and 13th from the bottom in a class. How many students are there in total?
  Answer: 24 (Total = Rank from top + Rank from bottom – 1)

• There are 30 students in a class. If Ria is 14th from the top, what is her rank from the bottom?
  Answer: 17th (Total students – Rank from top + 1 = 30 – 14 + 1)

3. Ranking Based on Heights, Marks, or Weights:

These questions involve ranking people or objects based on characteristics like height, weight, or scores.

Examples:

• In a class, Raju is taller than 8 students but shorter than 6 students. How many students are there in total?
  Answer: 15 (Raju’s position = 6 + 1 (Raju) + 8)

• In a race, Sita finished 3rd, while Ravi finished 5th. How many runners finished between them?
  Answer: 1 (There is 1 person between 3rd and 5th)

• Amit weighs less than 4 boys and more than 6 boys in his class. What is his rank from the lightest?
  Answer: 7th (Amit is heavier than 6, so his rank is 6 + 1)

4. Finding Rank Using Total Numbers:

These questions require you to calculate the total number of participants based on a person’s rank from both the top and bottom.

Examples:

• If Ali is 6th from the top and 9th from the bottom, how many people are there in total?
  Answer: 14 (Total = Rank from top + Rank from bottom – 1)

• Rahul is 3rd from the top and 4th from the bottom in a line. How many people are there?
  Answer: 6 (Total = Rank from top + Rank from bottom – 1)

5. Comparison-Based Ranking:

These questions involve comparing the ranks of two or more individuals and determining their relative positions.

Examples:

• Sita is ranked higher than Rani but lower than Priya. Who is ranked in the middle?
  Answer: Sita (She is in between Priya and Rani)

• In a race, John finishes ahead of Peter but behind Paul. Who came last?
  Answer: Peter (Paul is 1st, John is 2nd, Peter is 3rd)

Question for Olympiad Notes: Ranking Test

Try yourself:

In a marathon race, Aryan finishes ahead of Rohan but behind Karan. Who finished last in the race?

• A.

  Aryan
• B.

  Rohan
• C.

  Karan
• D.

  Cannot be determined

Explanation

- Aryan finishes ahead of Rohan but behind Karan, so the order is Karan, Aryan, Rohan.
- Since Aryan finishes ahead of Rohan, Rohan finishes last in the race.

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Steps to Solve Ranking and Ordering Questions:

• Understand the Given Information:
  Read the question carefully to determine the ranks or positions mentioned.

• Draw a Diagram if Needed:
  For complex ranking problems, drawing a diagram or writing down the positions helps visualize the relationships.

• Apply the Formula (if applicable):
  For questions involving both top and bottom ranks, use the formula:
  Total participants = Rank from top + Rank from bottom – 1.

• Check for Relative Positions:
  In comparison-based ranking questions, carefully analyze who is ranked higher or lower based on the given information.

• Practice with Varied Problems:
  Try a variety of ranking and ordering problems to become comfortable with different types of questions.

Key Points to Remember:

• Rank from Top or Bottom: Knowing one rank helps you calculate the other.
• Middle Position: For odd numbers of people or objects, the middle rank can be found by dividing the total by 2 and rounding up.
• Rank Based on Comparison: Analyze the relative positions between people or objects.
• Total Participants Formula: Use the formula to find the total number of participants when both top and bottom ranks are given.
• Practice: The more types of ranking problems you solve, the better you'll get at recognizing patterns and relationships in ranks.