Aptitude · Logical reasoning
Ranking and order, made easy
💡 The idea
The person is counted from both sides, so subtract 1. For comparisons, line everyone up in one chain.
From the left→From the right→Add→− 1
🧭 The method: 3 steps
- Total = left place + right place − 1.
- Rank from the bottom = total − rank from the top + 1.
- For “taller than”, build one chain from tallest to shortest.
🎬 Every kind of question, in pictures
Pick a kind. Guess the answer first, then watch the picture work it out. Tap any step to see it in the picture.
Loading the pictures…
✏️ Worked examples
Example 1. A is 7th from the left and 9th from the right. How many in the row?
- 7 + 9 = 16
- A was counted twice: 16 − 1
⚡ Shortcut: 15
⚠️ Where people go wrong
- Forgetting the − 1 (or + 1) for the person counted twice.
- Reading “shorter than” the wrong way round.
- Assuming an order the clues do not give.
📌 Remember
- Total = L + R − 1
- Bottom = total − top + 1
- One chain