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Linear arrangement questions are one of the most prevalent and significant forms of logical reasoning questions. They always involve arranging people or items in straight lines, circles, squares, or other geometric shapes. Let’s look at one of the most common types of arrangement, which is linear arrangement. In this sort of question, a student must arrange various persons in a line on a specified number of lines. The people may be sitting or standing in a row or a group of rows.
What is a linear arrangement in CAT?
In CAT logical reasoning problems, linear arrangement based logical reasoning involves sequentially aligning objects using information about their positions. In the majority of circumstances, we must determine the unique position of each object or the relative position of one object to the others.
Linear Arrangement Reasoning Types
Let’s take a look at the different types of problems that could appear in the Linear Arrangement Reasoning section one by one.
- Unidirectional single row
People will be positioned in a single row and will all face the same direction in this form of linear arrangement.
- Bidirectional single row
People will be arranged in a single row and facing two separate directions in this form of linear arrangement.
- Dual Row
People will be grouped in two rows in this form of linear layout.
Information Types
Direct information is information that is explicitly stated in the question’s statement. This is the information you’ll need to begin answering the questions.
Indirect data: After you’ve completed the direct data, you’ll look for connections between different portions of the data. The indirect information is formed by these links.
The direction in which the people are facing is quite significant when arranging them.
How to solve a problem using Linear Arrangement Reasoning
Candidates can use the tips and tactics listed below to help them answer questions in the Linear Arrangement Reasoning portion.
Step 1: If A is three persons distant from B in a linear arrangement, 3 – 1 = 2 people will sit between them.
Step 2: When solving linear arrangement questions, candidates should keep the following principles in mind.
A – B when A is second to the left of B
B – A when A is second to the right of B
When A is two places behind B: A/B – – B/A
When A is two positions to the right of B or two positions to the left of A: B – A
When A and B are separated by two people: A – – B
Example
Carefully read the following information and respond to the following questions:
The letters D, E, F, G, H, P, Q, and R are seated in a straight line, but not necessarily in that order. Some are looking south and others are facing north. G is oriented southward. D is seated fourth to P’s left. P occupies one of the line’s extreme extremities. D’s immediate neighbours are both facing north. E is the second from the left of R. R is not D’s next-door neighbour. R and F are neither at the very end of the line. F is in the opposite direction as G.
F’s immediate neighbours are both facing north. H is seated to the left of Q. G’s immediate neighbours are facing the opposite way (i.e. if one neighbour of G faces North then the other faces South and vice-versa). E’s immediate neighbours are facing the opposite way (i.e., if one neighbour of E faces North then the other faces South and vice-versa). People seated at the far ends of the room face in opposing directions (i.e., if one person faces north then the other faces South and vice-versa).
Which of the following is the second to G’s left?
P
E
D
R
None of the above
Answer: D
Solution:
- D is fourth to the left of P, and P is at one of the line’s extreme ends.
- D’s immediate neighbours are both facing north.
- Those at the far ends of the table face in opposing directions.
- E is seated to R’s left. R is not D’s next-door neighbour. R and F are neither at the very end of the line.
- G is oriented southward. G’s immediate neighbours are facing the opposite way. Case 2 is now ruled out.
- H is seated to the left of Q. F’s immediate neighbours are both facing north. F will not sit at the far end, we know.
- E’s immediate neighbours are facing the opposite way. F’s immediate neighbours are both facing north.
As a result, D is the second from the left of G.
8 individuals A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are seated in two rows across from one another. There are four persons in each row. B and C are seated next to one other. Between D and E is C. H is seated just to E’s left. H and F are on the diagonal. G and B are not in close proximity. Who’s standing in front of A?
Sol:
When we look at the provided linear arrangement, we can see that E is in front of A.
Conclusion
A student must arrange different people into a line or a number of lines in this type of inquiry. A row or a pair of rows of individuals may be seated or standing. Linear Arrangement is the process of placing items in a specific order (in a single line).
Essentially, these questions require you to arrange subjects, persons, or objects while meeting certain criteria. Because the arrangement is only on one “axis,” the position of the topics is important in terms of other factors such as first position, second position, and so on.
