Types of Puzzles - How to Solve Puzzle Questions

TYPE 4: Sequential Order of Things 

In this type of questions, some clues are given regarding the order of occurrence of certain events. The candidate is required to analyze the given information, frame the right sequence and then answer the questions accordingly.

Ex.4. Read the following information carefully to answer the given questions: 

Six films - P, Q, R, S, T and U- are to be released on consecutive Fridays. The schedule of the release is to be in accordance with the following conditions:

(i) P must be released a week before T.

(ii) R must not be released immediately after the first release.

(iii) Q must be released on the Friday following the Friday on which U is released.

(iv) S must be released on fifth Friday and should not be immediately preceded by Q.

(v) T must not be released in the last.

1. Which of the following films preceded T? 

(A) P

(B) Q

(C) S

(D) U

2. Which of the following films released immediately after Q? 

(A) P

(B) R

(C) T

(D) U

3. Film R cannot be released on which of the following Fridays in addition to second Friday?

(A) First

(B) Third

(C) Fourth

(D) Fifth

4. In between which of the two films S is to be released? 

(A) Q and T

(B) R and T

(C) P and T

(D) T and U

5. Which of the following films released first? 

(A) P

(B) Q

(C) R

(D) U

Solution:

Clearly, S must be released on fifth Friday. P must be released a week before T i.e., order PT must be followed. But T cannot be released in the last. Also, Q must be released immediately after U i.e., order UQ must be followed. But Q cannot precede S. So, U and Q can be released on first and second Fridays respectively and P and T on third fourth Fridays respectively. R, which cannot be released on second Friday, shall be released last.

Thus, the order followed will be : U, Q P. T, S, R.

1. Clearly, the release of P precedes that of T. So, the answer is (a).

2. P is released immediately after Q. So, the answer is (a).

3. R cannot be released on fifth Friday as well because S has to be staged on that day. So, the answer is (d).

4. Clearly, S is released between T and R. So, the answer is (b).

5. Clearly, U is released first. So, the answer is (d)