Seating Arrangement
Quick Revision: Seating Arrangement
🔑 Key Facts
- Types: Linear, Circular, Rectangular, Row & Rank, Matrix
- Always draw a blank diagram first – saves 30 s per set
- Left/Right = your left/right when you face the same direction as the person
- Clockwise = left-to-right in circular; Anti-clockwise = right-to-left
- Opposite = (n/2) seats apart in even-circle; Adjacent = ±1 seat
- “Who sits third to the left of X?” – start from X, count anti-clockwise
- Immediate left/right – no gap
- Same direction vs facing centre – direction decides left/right
- Row-rank formula: Rank from left + Rank from right = Total + 1
- Minimum persons between A & B = |positionA – positionB| – 1
🧠 Memory Tricks
| Mnemonic | Use |
|---|---|
| LEFT = LOOK LEFT (your left when you face the row) | Never flip direction |
| CLOCK = COUNT CLOCKWISE | Circular left-to-right |
| Rank Rule Remember: L + R = T + 1 | Row-rank quick calc |
| DRAW DIAGRAM DURING DATA | 4-D rule – 15 s investment |
| ADJACENT = ALWAYS AT ARM’S LENGTH (±1) | Gap zero |
🔍 Comparison Table: Linear vs Circular
| Feature | Linear | Circular |
|---|---|---|
| Ends | 2 fixed ends | No ends |
| Direction confusion | Low | High (clockwise rule) |
| Opposite seat | Not defined | Exactly across |
| Adjacent | 2 max | 2 max |
| Quick tip | Label 1 to n clockwise | Mark North-top, read clockwise |
BETA
