2

Developing the Skills

LEARNING Objectives
1. What constitutes Logical Reasoning
2. Different types of Logical Reasoning questions
3. Skill set required to excel in Logical Reasoning
4. Approach to solve the questions

¾ CONSTITUENTS OF LOGICAL REASONING ¨ Scenario

Before we move on to solving the questions, it is very The scenario introduces a set of variables—people, places,
imperative that we understand the constituents of the Logical things or events involved in an easy to understand activity
Reasoning Questions and at the same time the skill-sets such as sitting in seats or singing songs.
required to crack them. Here is an example:
Logical reasoning questions are designed to measure A postman has to deliver exactly seven letters—N, O,
the students’ ability to understand the structure of relation- P, Q, R, S and T on seven days of a week; not necessarily in
ships and to draw conclusions from it. Students will be asked the same order. The seven deliveries must be made according
to make deductions from a set of statements, conditions or to certain conditions.
rules that describe the relationships among various variables In the above situation, there are two variable sets—the
such as persons, places, things or events. These questions letters N, O, P, Q, R, S and T and seven different delivery
simulate the kinds of detailed analyses of relationships that positions, which would be numbered 1 through 7 for the
management students must perform in solving problems. Ad- different days of the week.
ditionally, they require the ability to reason clearly and de- In the above situation, there are two variable sets—the
ductively from a given set of rules or restrictions; all under letters N, O, P, Q, R, S and T and seven different delivery
a strict time frame. positions, which would be numbered 1 through 7 for the
Each logical reasoning question contains three different days of the week.
separate parts:
(i) Scenario
¨ Rules
(ii) Rules and The scenario is followed by a series of rules or conditions
(iii) Question/s which impose specific restrictions upon the relationships

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 4.12 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

among the sub ects. Rules can also be seen as a set of Q . hich of the following cannot be true
statements that describe the relationships between the (a) Letter Q is delivered on ednesday
variables. An LR set may include as few as two or as many as (b) Letter Q is delivered on riday
ten rules or may be more. Besides, these rules or conditions (c) Letter R is delivered on ednesday
specify the relationship between the different variables. (d) Letter S is delivered on Tuesday
Here are the rules that accompanied the above given
e will go through the solution of the questions given
LR set:
above after discussing the Skills set required to excel in the
(i) Letter P and Letter O have to be delivered on consecutive Logical Reasoning section.
days.
(ii) The postman cannot deliver letter O and letter S on
consecutive days.
(iii) Letter T has to be delivered on the fourth day of the ¾ SKILL-SET REQUIRED
week. e have understood and observed uptill now that the LR
(iv) The postman has to deliver S and N both before questions test the following:
delivering letter Q.
(v) It is also given that onday is assumed to be the first ■ ommand of the details given.
day of the week. ■ ormal deductive abilities.
■ nderstanding of how rules limit and order behavior, and
Rules also help us in providing a proper sequence ■ Ability to cope up with many pieces of data simultane-
of events or arrangement of several variables involved in ously to solve the problems.
the question. e will discuss more about Sequencing and
Arrangement’ in hapter of this section. In my experience of dealing with a good number of
students, most of them already have these skills, the problem
lies with the fact that they probably have not acquired the
¨ Questions know-how to apply these skills to their best advantage in
the rarified atmosphere of a standardi ed time-bound skills-
The rules are followed by a series of questions about the
based test.
relationships defined by the conditions. The questions call
hile discussing the various skills required, we will
for a deductive analysis and a right correspondence between
assume that a student has no prior background of solving
the scenario and the rules. This third and final part of any
these kinds of questions and owing to this; he/she is almost
LR set, tests the students’ knowledge about the relationships
at a very basic level.
between the variables, the structural features of the given set,
and the way these relationships and features change as the
conditions in the set change. ¨ Skill 1—Understanding the Information
As in QA problems, one and only one response can be
proven beyond any doubt to be the correct one. In AT, the This simply means that, Are you able to decipher the
number of questions per set normally ranges from one to six, different kinds of statements given
although AT does not follow certain pattern. Let us have a look at these statements:
All initial rules or conditions are applied to all the (i) ame B must be played on the day following the day on
questions given thereof. However, sometimes a particular which game is played.
question might introduce something new after suspending the (ii) ame must be staged on Sunday and is not to be
parent information. Hence, students are expected to consider immediately preceded by game B.
each question separately from the other questions. o not (iii) The population of aharashtra is followed by the
carry over information provided in any particular question to population of Bihar whereas population of Orissa is
the other questions. preceded by the population of Bihar.
Some of the sample questions pertaining to the above
LR set are as follows: hich of the following options is least likely to be
wrong
Q 1. hich of the following lists an acceptable order of Obviously, the above written statements are ust a
deliveries of letters part of any particular LR set, but play an important role in
(a) NQPTOSR (b) POSTRNQ making a sequence of events. Besides, there can be a few
(c) NRSTPQO (d) RSOTNPQ questions, which by virtue of uggling with the words, can
Q . hich of the following is a complete list of the days on become difficult to comprehend within that time-bound test
which letter O could be delivered ambience. This can best be understood by looking at a few
(a) ednesday, riday examples with their proper explanations.
(b) ednesday, riday, Sunday Sometimes ust for the sake of making a statement
(c) ednesday, Thursday, riday difficult to understand, the test makers start playing with the
(d) Any day of the week except Saturday words, as seen in the following example:

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 Developing the Skills ✧✧ 4.13

Statement (i) – There are three cottages in a row and three Statement (iii) – There are three cottages in a row numbered
friends A, B and are living in these cottages, one person 1 through and three friends A, B and are living in these
in each cottage. The cottage of A is in between the cottages cottages, one person in each cottage. A finds that his cottage
of B and . number is less than the cottage number of one of his friends.

Statement (ii) – There are three cottages in a row facing e do understand that the interpretation of all the
south and three friends A, B and are living in these cottages three statements is the same, i.e., the order of their cottages
one person in each cottage. hen A, B and are standing in being—BA or AB.
front of their houses facing north, A makes a statement that At the same time, we should understand some of the
cottage of one of B and is on his right and another cottage basic statements pertaining to the questions. To answer these
is on his left. questions, we should focus on the nature of the right and
wrong answer choices:

Question reads as … Its meaning …

hich one of the following statements A statement that could be true. The remaining wrong choices will be
could be true statements that cannot be de nitely true. (i.e., statements that must be
false)

hich one of the following statements A statement that cannot be true (must be false). The remaining wrong
cannot be true choices will be the statements that can either be de nitely true or at least
could be true.

hich one of the following statements A statement that must be true. The remaining wrong choices will be
must be true statements that either cannot be true or only could be true.

All of the following statements could be A statement that cannot be true. The remaining wrong choices will be
true E EPT statements that either could be true or are de nitely true.

All of the following statements must be A statement that either cannot be true or merely could be true. The
true E EPT remaining wrong choices will be statements that must be true.

hich one of the following statements A statement that cannot be true or could be true or false. The remaining
could be false wrong choices will be the statements that must be true.

hich one of the following statements A statement that cannot be true. The remaining wrong choices will be the
must be false statements that are either de nitely true or only could be true.

hich of the following statements is least A statement that is true. The remaining options will be false.
likely to be wrong

¨ Skill 2—Diagramming the Information discuss more about the variables and the way to use them to
our benefit later in this chapter.
Besides the given data in the LR set, sometimes the
This is the most important stage of solving any LR set. This questions which supply a new piece of information specific
particular skill in itself requires the students to be aware of to that question alone, also tend to help us in achieving a
various factors related to the scenario and the rules, such as: complete diagram. And this is the reason why students should
■ hat kind of diagram vi ., table or line diagram, etc. is do this diagramming work next to the question itself, if enough
the most best suitable for the given set. space is available. This provides you several benefits:
■ How many variables are there in the set and out of the ■ By doing the work next to the problem, you increase the
given variables, which of the variables are most helpful visual connection between your diagram and the LR set.
in making the diagram and representing the rules and ■ If you need to come back to a question, when you return
the scenario. you will be able to clearly see the work done up to that
point.
Ideally in case of two variables, the work done in
creating the setup and making inferences will be sufficient to There are two approaches that are widely propagated
answer the question. But the problem starts surfacing when and used to form a diagram. Let us look at the pros and cons
the number of variables increases to three or more. e will related to the approaches:

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 4.14 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

❑ Approach 1 Remember some of the very basic rules:

Do the work for each question on the main diagram ■ Always pay special attention to the sequencing aspect in
every set. any questions are answered ust by thinking,
This approach suggests that the work for each question hat things are left here can (or must) they be
should be done on the main diagram itself. In order to utili e placed and at which position
this method, you must erase your previous work before any a times it will happen that we do not fully grasp
■
beginning each question. However erasing your work has a LR situation. In such cases keep asking yourself
a number of negative effects too: you could accidentally questions and go through a couple of what ifs to
erase important information that applies to all the questions keep the LR set going. henever you are in a fix, ask
and more importantly, every time you erase your work you yourself, hat if it goes here hat does that mean for
lose some of the knowledge that you created about the the other things Even if you do not get any help from
game. this, but it is still time worth spent because it helps you
Rather what I would suggest as a thumb rule: do not to understand the LR set better.
erase any work that you have done unless you have made a The best way to deal with any LR set is to build it directly
■
mistake. into a diagram from the given information. Sometimes,
the students are expected to fill some of the unoccupied
❑ Approach 2 places on their own by assuming something. Then it
becomes essential to segregate the given information in
Create a “grid” and do the work for each question in the the LR set with your assumed information. ou can do it
rows within the grid by encircling the data assumed by you.
This approach requires you to create a grid near the main ■ hile assuming some information on your own, always
setup. The work for each question is then done within the keep an eye on the options provided along with the
rows of the grid, as follows: question. Sometimes you might get a lot of help from
the options as well.
Questions/Scenario ■ Remember that the test-maker has scattered the easy,
1 2 3 4 5 the moderate and the difficult questions across the entire
or conditions
paper in no proper order. So, solve the question which
Q1 A B you find the easiest first, and not the one which is Q 1.

Q B A
¾ MANAGING THE VARIABLES
Q D E A D
Let me clarify at the onset, that the variables which we are
After going through the above discussion, we can talking about here are not the same as the mathematical
conclude that: variables. Rather, what we mean to say is that the word
variable here represents all the entities, be it the name of
■ rawing the grid along with the main setup requires a place, a person or the days; a book which they might
a large amount of space, which might not be always have been reading or practically anything given in the LR
available in the test paper. In contrast, doing the work set. Additionally there will be some rules or conditions
next to the question is space-efficient. encompassing these variables. And as it is correctly said,
■ In case of LR sets with less than four variables, working Our variables are our resources ; similarly, we should use
next to the question is always efficient, as it allows you the variables given to us in our questions, in the same way.
to draw the most appropriate diagram for the given nderstandably, a LR set can have two or more
scenario. variables. Let us see some examples:
Lastly, since the LR sets asked in the AT are too
dynamic in nature, the proper use of scratch work is an ❑ Example 1: Two variable LR set
important pre-requisite.
Six plays, vi ., Ram teri Ganga maili, Satya, Don, [Link],
Andha Mughal and Angrezo Bharat aao, are to be staged,
¨ Skill 3—Sequencing the one on each day starting from onday to Saturday.
Information to get the Answer In the above written statement, which can also be the
opening statement of an LR set, we see that there are two
ptill now we have understood how the given variables can sets of variables:
be arranged in a proper structure. Before moving on to the
actual problem solving of two or more variables, we have now (A) Six plays and
reached a stage (theoretically) where the given information is (B) Six days as six different positions
to be used to solve the LR set. The idea is to focus on what Now according to the given conditions, we will be
the question requires of you, before starting the solving establishing the correspondence between these plays and the
process. days on which they can happen.

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 Developing the Skills ✧✧ 4.15

❑ Example 2: Three variable LR set per day. The following conditions are to be kept in mind
while formulating the delivery schedule of the boxes:
There are five men working in Due North Inc. namely A, B,
, and E. Their respective salaries are different and they (i) Box is not delivered on onday
are married to five women namely , , H, I and . (ii) If box T is delivered on onday, then box must be
In this situation, there are three sets of variables: delivered on riday.
(iii) If box is delivered on Tuesday, box is delivered on
(A) ive men working in an organi ation. onday.
(B) Their respective salaries which are different. (iv) Box is delivered the day following the day of the
( ) Their wives, which are of course different. delivery of box .
Before plotting the diagram for the above set, the most
important thing to remember here is the fact that we can Q 1. Box could be delivered on any day except:
establish direct correspondence on paper, only between two (a) onday (b) Tuesday
variables, and so the third variable is to be kept in the mind. (c) ednesday (d) Thursday
Now, to choose the two variables out of the given three variables, Q . If box is delivered the day after the box T is delivered,
we should keep an eye on the rules or the given conditions. The which of the following is a complete and accurate list of
more the conditions related to a particular variable are given, the days on which box could be delivered
the more the chances are of it being taken as one of those two (a) Tuesday, ednesday, Thursday
variables which are to be used in the diagram on the paper. (b) ednesday, Thursday, riday
(c) Tuesday, ednesday, riday
❑ Example 3: More than three variable LR set (d) ednesday, riday

ive men from five different states of India work in a Q . If box is delivered on ednesday, which of the
factory and each of them performs a different ob. Each man following could be true
commutes to work using a different mode of transport and (a) Box is delivered on riday
most work on different shifts. There are three shifts—1st (b) Box is delivered on Tuesday
shift, am 1 noon; nd shift, 1 noon pm and rd shift, (c) Box is delivered before box T
pm pm. All the people working on the same shift come (d) Box is delivered before box
at the same time. Q . If the box is delivered on ednesday, which of the
How many variables are there in the above LR set following must be true
Let us count: (a) Box is delivered before box T
(A) 1st variable five men (b) Box T is delivered before box
(B) nd variable five states (c) Box T is delivered before box
( ) rd variable different ob (d) Box is delivered before box
( ) th variable mode of transport
(E) th variable work-shift Solution
e do understand that most of the time managing
fewer variables is easier than managing more variables. Scenario
rom here we will start with LR sets of two variables and There are two sets of variables—1st set being five boxes and
then move on to the LR sets of a higher number of variables. nd set being five days onday through riday.
One thing I would like to reiterate—Please do not ust As the boxes must be delivered in these five days, so
read this book; rather, sit with a pen/pencil and paper and one box is to be delivered everyday.
before going through the solution of any LR set, give it a try.
Rules
There are two sets of rules given here:
¾ HOW TO APPROACH LR
(A) Strict sequencing rule—These are the rules which give us
In this section, we will learn the method of solving LR the exact position of the variables.
questions keeping in mind various do’s and do not. (B) Loose sequencing rule—These are the rules which give us
the relative positioning of one variable with respect to
the other variable, without giving the exact position.
¨ Problems in Two Variables
e will discuss about sequencing in hapter of this
section.
Directions for questions 1 to 4: Read the following
passage and solve the questions based on it. Now lets interpret the rules:
There are five boxes vi ., T, , , and , to be delivered ■ Box X is not delivered on Monday—This is a strict
on five consecutive days, onday through riday one box sequencing rule.

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 4.16 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

If box T is delivered on onday, then box must be Thursday Not possible, otherwise one of the pairs from
delivered on riday. T - and - will be required to split up.
This is a loose sequencing rule which introduces riday If is to be delivered then one of the pairs will
further conditions related to the delivery of box T and box be delivered on onday Tuesday and other pair on
. But we should be very clear about certain facts related to ednesday Thursday with either box T being delivered on
this statement: onday/ ednesday OR box being delivered on onday/
ednesday.
(i) If box T is not delivered on onday, then box can be
delivered on any day. (except onday) The following delivery schedule scheme can be followed:
(ii) If box is not delivered on riday, then box T cannot be onday - T Tuesday -
delivered on onday. ednesday - Thursday -
■ If box X is delivered on Tuesday, box U is delivered riday -
on Monday. Hence, box can be delivered on either ednesday or
This is again a loose sequencing rule which introduces riday.
conditions related to the delivery of box and box .
Ans. . (c) Let us make the diagrams:
This statement also means that if is not delivered on
onday, then is not delivered on Tuesday. onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday
Box is delivered the day following the day of the
delivery of box . If is on ednesday, then will be on Tuesday.
This is also a loose sequencing rule which introduces onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday
conditions related to the delivery of box and box . It
simply means that - will be consecutive in the same hecking the options:
order. Option (a). Box is delivered on riday.
or the sake of establishing the rules clearly in our e are left with three boxes T, and and three
mind, we should write it as follows: days— onday, Tuesday and riday.
■ - Not on onday ......(Rule 1) Now let us take the stock of the situation now:
■ T ( onday) then - ( riday) ......(Rule ) or onday— cannot be delivered on onday, so
■ (Tuesday) then - ( onday) ......(Rule ) has to be delivered on either Thursday or riday.
■ - ......(Rule ) If T is delivered on onday, then will be delivered
on riday and consequently, on Thursday.
And then the five places:
If is delivered on onday, then the rest two will be
onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday delivered on the remaining two days.
Ans. 1. (a) Since box is to be delivered on the day imme- So, Box cannot be delivered on onday.
diately after the day on which box is delivered, box Option (b) e can eliminate this option very easily.
cannot be delivered on onday. onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday
Ans. . (d) Box is to be delivered the day after box T. So, the
order is: T - . This is the second such pair after - Option (c)
which is to be accommodated into the -days schedule. onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday
Now start visuali ing the days for to be delivered:
onday Not possible Now moving ahead from here:
If is delivered on onday, then and T can be
Tuesday Not possible, otherwise one of the pairs from
delivered on Thursday and riday respectively.
T - and - will be required to split up.
Hence, option (c) could be true.
ednesday If is to be delivered then one of the pairs ork for students: heck the veracity of option (d).
will be delivered on onday Tuesday and other pair on
Thursday riday with either box T being delivered on Ans. (a) Box is delivered on ednesday.
onday/Thursday or box being delivered on onday/ onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday
Thursday.
Now, T cannot be delivered on onday otherwise Now, will be delivered on either onday or Thursday.
will be delivered on riday (Rule ).
If T is delivered on Thursday, then will be delivered onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday ...(1)
on riday and compulsorily, will be delivered on onday
and on Tuesday. OR
This delivery schedule is in accordance with the given onday Tuesday ednesday Thursday riday ...( )
rules. So, box can be delivered on ednesday.

Part_04.indb 16 08/05/14 5:32 PM

 Developing the Skills ✧✧ 4.17

e can see that ( ) is not possible, because T has to ■ There are six persons—Ra esh, inesh, Lokesh, Nilesh,
be delivered on onday ( cannot be delivered on onday) Shailesh and Himesh.
and in that case should be delivered on riday, which is ■ There are six organi ations—P, Q, R, S, T and .
not possible. ■ There are six coloured ties—Brown, reen, Pink,
So, (1) has to be true. T and can be interchangeably ellow, Purple and Red.
delivered on Thursday or riday without violating any
condition.
Rules
So, option (a) is definitely true.
This question can be used to generate a set of new sing the rules, we can make the following table:
questions as well. One such question could have been made
by replacing must be with could be . Of course in that
case, more than one option would have become true out of Tie Company Name
the given four options.
Brown S Himesh
However two variables LR set questions should be
seen more as Sequencing and Arrangement’ questions. e reen P Lokesh
will discuss more about this in hapter .
Pink Q Ra esh
¨ Problems in Three Variables Purple U Shailesh

Directions for questions 5 to 6: Read the following ellow R Nilesh

passage and solve the questions based on it.
Red T inesh
(i) Six men—Ra esh, inesh, Lokesh, Nilesh, Shailesh
and Himesh work in different companies, namely P,
Q, R, S, T and , and each one wears a company- Ans. . (d) The colour of the tie provided by the company R is
sponsored different coloured tie, i.e., Brown, reen, ellow. Hence, option (d) is the answer.
Pink, ellow, Purple and Red, though not necessarily Ans. . (c) Obviously, the answer is option (c).
in the same order.
(ii) The one wearing a Brown tie works in company S and
the one wearing a reen tie works in company P. ¨ Problems in More Than Three Variables
(iii) Himesh does not work in company R or T.
(iv) Ra esh wears a Pink tie and works in company Q. Directions for questions 7 to 8: Read the following
(v) Nilesh does not work in company T and a Purple colour passage and solve the questions based on it.
tie is not given by the company R.
ive men from five different states work in an office and each
(vi) Shailesh works in company and neither Nilesh nor
of them performs a different work. Each comes to the office
inesh works in the company S.
using a different mode of travel and most work on different
(vii) ompany T does not sponsor Purple or ellow coloured
shifts (There are three shifts; the second shift starts after the
ties and Lokesh works in company P.
first shift and ends before the third shift). All the five persons
Q . hich colour tie is given by the ompany R working in the same shift come at the same time.
(a) annot be determined
(i) Hari, who is not from est Bengal ( B), does not walk
(b) Brown
to work.
(c) reen
(ii) Narayan is not a L.
(d) None of these
(iii) The man who works in the third shift and whose name
Q . hich of the following colour of tie-company-person is not aved does not use the bus.
combinations is correct (iv) Simon, who is not from P, uses a bicycle to go to work.
(a) reen-R-Nilesh He is not a technician.
(b) Brown-S-Lokesh (v) The man from arnataka is not called Narayan and he
(c) Red-T- inesh comes to work after the assembler but before Abbas.
(d) ellow-R-Shailesh (vi) The man from Bihar and the person who walks, both
work on the first shift.
Solution (vii) The L comes to work before the man who uses the
train.
(viii) aved comes to work after the man from u arat but
Scenario
before the man who uses a scooter.
There are three variables involved in this question set: Name (ix) Narayan and the man who uses the bus work on the same
of the person, company and the colour of tie. shift.

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 4.18 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

(x) The man from P and the tester work in the second Let us first make a table denoting all the variables:
shift.
(xi) The stock clerk works on the third shift.
Shift State Work Mode of Travel
Q 7. hich of the following statement(s) is (are) true
I. The man from arnataka and the stock clerk work Hari
in the same shift.
Narayan
II. Abbas and the technician work in the same shift.
III. The man who comes by bus and Simon work in Simon
the same shift.
I . Hari and the man who comes walking work in the aved
same shift.
(a) I only (b) None Abbas
(c) I only (d) All are true
Q . hich of the following statement(s) is (are) true
I. The L comes by bus and the assembler walks to Statement (v) arnataka nd shift
work. Neither Abbas nor Narayan
II. The stock clerk comes by bus and the tester by Assembler 1st shift
train. Abbas rd shift
III. The stock clerk comes by scooter and the
technician by train. Statement (viii) aved nd shift
I . The assembler comes by bicycle and the tester by u arat 1st shift
train. Scooter rd shift
(a) I and III only (b) II only
Statement (vi) Bihar 1st shift
(c) I only (d) None
alk 1st shift

Solution Statement (x) P nd shift

Tester nd shift
Scenario
Statement (iv) Narayan 1st shift
e have already seen that this question set is of variables. Bus 1st shift
1st variable ive men
nd variable ive states hat deductions can we make from the above
rd variable ifferent ob statements
th variable ode of travel eduction 1 Since there are five persons and two
th variable ork-shift persons each are coming in the 1st shift and nd shift, so we
can conclude that only one person is coming in the rd shift
(A) The five persons are—Hari, Narayan, Simon, aved
e will do more deductions after filling up the space for the
and Abbas.
person who comes in the rd shift.
(B) The five modes of travel are—Bus, alk, Bicycle,
Abbas rd shift Scooter Stock lerk ( sing
Train and Scooter.
statement xi)
( ) The five states are—Bihar, P, B, arnataka and
However we are still not sure about the state to which
u arat.
Abbas belongs. Let us find it out through the process of
( ) The five works are— L, Assembler, Tester, Technician
elimination:
and Stock lerk.
Possible states Bihar, P, B, u arat, arnataka
(E) The three shifts are—1st shift, nd shift and rd shift.
Possible state for Abbas:

Rules
Statement (x) Statement (v)
There are two ma or bottlenecks with this problem set:
■ ost of the statements given in the beginning have a Bihar, P, B, u arat, arna
negative connotation.
■ A total of eleven statements are given. Statement (vi) Statement (viii)
Ideally, in these types of situations where a good
amount of information is given, we should first go through Hence, est Bengal is the only possibility for Abbas.
all the statements and then find out the statement with the Let us fill the table with the newly acquired
maximum concrete facts. information:

Part_04.indb 18 08/05/14 5:32 PM

 Developing the Skills ✧✧ 4.19

Mode of Mode of
Shift State Work Shift State Work
Travel Travel

Hari aved
Abbas rd B Stock lerk Scooter
Narayan 1st u arat/ Bus/ alk
Bihar
To find out the nd person working in 1st shift, now
Simon we will use the process of elimination:

aved
Hari Narayan Simon aved Abbas
Abbas rd B Stock Scooter
lerk Already done Statement (viii) Already done

e can fill up some more blanks above with the

various possibilities (as we did in the case of Narayan’s state). The possible options for the nd person is either Hari
Now we have a good amount of information regarding or Simon. sing statement (iv), Simon comes on a bicycle.
the persons working in the first shift: However, the nd person working in the 1st shift comes by
1st shift: bus. So, Simon is not possible in the 1st shift. Hence, Hari is
the nd person coming in the first shift.
Assembler u arat alks Narayan
Mode of
Shift State Work
travel
Bihar Bus
Hari 1st Bihar L Bus
Thus, we can have the following arrangement:
Narayan 1st u arat Assembler alk
Assembler u arat alks Narayan Simon

aved
Bihar Bus
Abbas rd B Stock lerk Scooter
Still we are not sure if Narayan is an assembler or not
To find it out, we will go to some other unused statements.
Now we are left with the variables attached to only the
Let us use statement (vii):
nd shift. Let us write them one by one:
Statement (vii): L 1st shift
Train user nd shift (Because person who commutes
by train cannot come in rd shift, as Abbas is coming in rd aved arnataka Tester Train
shift).
sing statement (ii), Narayan is not a L, so he has
to be an Assembler. sing Simon P Technician Bicyle
Statement
Assembler u arat alks Narayan (vi)

L Bihar Bus Hence, the final table is:

Shift State Work Mode of travel

Let us fill up the table with the new information again:
Hari 1st Bihar L Bus
Mode of Narayan 1st u arat Assembler alk
Shift State Work
Travel
Simon nd arnataka Tester Bicycle
Hari
aved nd P Technician Train
Narayan 1st u arat Assembler alk
Abbas rd B Stock Scooter
Simon lerk

Part_04.indb 19 08/05/14 5:32 PM

 4.20 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

¾ PRACTICE EXERCISE 1 Q . hich of the following combinations of place and mode

is not correct
Directions for questions 1 to 5: Read the following (a) hennai-boat (b) olkata-airplane
passage and solve the questions based on it. (c) Hyderabad-bus (d) elhi-bus
(i) Six students P, Q, R, S, T and are in different branches Q . The person travelling to elhi went by which of the
of Engineering vi ., IT, mechanical, hemical, following modes
Electrical, metallurgy and Electronics but not (a) Bus (b) Train
necessarily in the same order. (c) Airplane (d) ar
(ii) Each of them is a resident of a different city vi ., umbai,
Q1 . ho among the following travelled to elhi
olkata, hennai, Patna, Hyderabad and Bangalore. R
(a) T (b) S
is the resident of Patna but he is not in chemical or
(c) R (d) annot be determined
electrical. T, who is in mechanical, is not a resident of
umbai or Hyderabad. Q is from olkata and he is in
Directions for questions 11 to 15: Read the following
electrical. The student from hennai is in electronics;
passage and solve the questions based on it.
S is from umbai; P is in metallurgy.
Six persons Amar, Bi ay, hetan, isha, Esha and arukh
Q 1. hich of the following is not the correct combination of
took up a ob with an organi ation in a week from onday to
student and sub ect
Saturday. Each of them oined for different posts on different
(a) P- etallurgy (b) Q-Electrical
days. The posts were of—clerk, officer, technician, manager,
(c) -Electronics (d) S-IT
supervisor and sales executive, though not necessarily in the
Q . hich student is from hennai same order.
(a) R (b) arukh oined as a manager on the first day. Bi ay
(c) S (d) T oined as a supervisor but neither on ednesday nor riday.
Q . hich city does P belong to isha oined as a technician on Thursday. hetan oined the
(a) hennai (b) olkata firm as an officer on ednesday. Esha oined as a clerk on
(c) Hyderabad Tuesday. Amar oined as a sales executive.
(d) annot be determined Q 11. ho oined the rm on ednesday
Q . hich student is from Bangalore (a) Bi ay
(a) T (b) Q (b) hetan
(c) S (d) T or P (c) Bi ay or hetan
Q . hich sub ect is being studied by R (d) annot be determined
(a) Electronics Q 1 . ho was the last person to oin the rm
(b) echanical (a) Esha (b) arukh
(c) etallurgy (c) Amar (d) Bi ay
(d) None of these Q 1 . On which of the following days did the Sales Executive
oin
Directions for questions 6 to 10: Read the following (a) Tuesday (b) Thursday
passage and solve the questions based on it. (c) Saturday (d) riday
(i) ive friends P, Q, R, S and T travelled to five different Q1 . hich of the following is correctly matched regarding
cities, hennai, olkata, elhi, Bangalore and the posts and day of oining
Hyderabad, by five different modes of transport, bus, (a) anager Tuesday
train, airplane, car, and boat, from umbai. (b) Officer ednesday
(ii) The person who traveled to elhi did not travel by (c) lerk Thursday
boat (d) Technician onday
(iii) R went to Bangalore by car and Q went to olkata by Q1 . ho oined on ednesday
airplane (a) hetan (b) lerk
(iv) S travelled by boat whereas T travelled by train (c) Amar (d) anager
(v) umbai is not connected by bus to elhi and hennai.
Q . hich of the following combinations of person and
mode is not correct ¾ PRACTICE EXERCISE 2
(a) T-Airplane (b) R- ar Directions for questions 1 to 2: Read the following
(c) S-boat (d) P-Bus passage and solve the questions based on it.
Q 7. hich of the following combinations is true for S
(i) Six books on different sub ects, vi ., History, eography,
(a) hennai-bus (b) hennai-boat
English, Hindi, Economics and Psychology, are
(c) elhi-bus (d) annot be determined
arranged in a pile (not necessarily in the same order).

Part_04.indb 20 08/05/14 5:32 PM

 Developing the Skills ✧✧ 4.21

Each book belongs to different persons whose names days of the week with a holiday on Sunday; not having
are ebasis, Harsh, ishwas, Ravi, San ay and Neeta. more than two papers on any of the days.
(ii) English book, which is kept on the top, belongs to (ii) Examination begins on ednesday with paper .
ebasis, Psychology book, which is kept at the bottom (iii) is accompanied by some other paper but not on
does not belong to San ay or Ravi. Thursday. A and are on the same day immediately
(iii) Economics book belongs to Harsh and is kept immedi- after the holiday.
ately below Hindi. (iv) There is only one paper on the last day and Saturday.
(iv) History book is immediately above eography and B is immediately followed by H, which is immediately
immediately below Economics. Hindi book belongs to followed by I.
Neeta and History book belongs to Ravi. (v) is on Saturday. H is not on the same day as .
Q 1. hom does the Psychology book belong to Q 7. Examination for which of the following pairs of papers
(a) Neeta (b) ishwas is on Thursday
(c) Harsh (d) annot be determined (a) HE (b) B
Q . hich book is fourth from the bottom (c) (d) ata inadequate
(a) History (b) eography Q . Examination for which of the following papers is on the
(c) Economics (d) Hindi next day of
(a) B (b)
Directions for questions 3 to 6: Read the following (c) I (d) H
passage and solve the questions based on it. Q . Examination for which of the following papers is on the
(i) r Sharma has five sons—A, , S, R and N. hile going last day
for a party, they wore different coloured shirts vi ., (a) B (b) E
Red, ellow, Blue, hite and reen (not necessarily (c) (d) ata inadequate
in the same order). Q 1 . Examination for paper is on the same day as which of
(ii) Each one of them has different likings vi ., reading, the following papers
playing, traveling, singing and writing in no particular (a) E (b)
order. (c) I (d) None of these
(iii) , who has a liking for singing, does not wear a yellow
shirt. S wears a red shirt and does not like reading or Directions for questions 11 to 15: Read the following
writing. N likes to play and does not wear a blue or passage below and solve the questions based on it.
yellow shirt. A has a liking for writing and R does not There are seven professors A, B, , , E, and teaching
wear a yellow or green shirt. seven sub ects History, eography, Physics, hem istry,
athematics, Biology and English from onday to riday
Q . hat is the colour of ’s shirt
at aya ollege. Each professor teaches a different sub ect
(a) hite (b) reen
and not more than two sub ects are taught on any one of
(c) Blue (d) ata inadequate
the days.
Q . ho has a liking for reading
(a) R (b) A (i) hemistry is taught by professor B on Tuesday.
(c) (d) ata inadequate (ii) Professor teaches on riday but neither eography nor
Physics.
Q . hich of the following combination of son colour of
(iii) Professor teaches History but neither on Thursday
shirt-liking is correct
nor on riday.
(a) R Blue reading
(iv) Professor A teaches English on the day on which
(b) N hite playing
History is taught.
(c) A ellow writing
(v) Professor teaches athematics on onday.
(d) N reen playing
(vi) eography and hemistry are taught on the same day.
Q . or how many sons can the colour of shirt be de nitely (vii) Professor teaches on Thursday.
determined
(a) 1 (b) Q 11. On which of the following days is English taught
(c) (d) (a) ednesday (b) onday
(c) Tuesday (d) annot be determined
Directions for questions 7 to 10: Read the following Q 1 . hich of the following sub ects is taught by professor
passage and solve the questions based on it.
There were ten papers in the last year 1 th standard BSE (a) Biology (b) eography
examination. ollowing guidelines have been issued to (c) Physics (d) hemistry
schedule the examination: Q 1 . On which of the following days is eography taught
(i) Examination board has organi ed the examinations for (a) onday (b) Tuesday
ten papers vi ., A, B, , , E, , , H, I and on six (c) ednesday (d) Thursday

Part_04.indb 21 08/05/14 5:32 PM

 4.22 ✧✧ Understanding Logical Reasoning

Q1 . hich sub ect is taught on riday Q1 . ho among the following speciali es in arketing
(a) Physics (b) History (a) S (b) P
(c) eography (d) Biology (c) (d) annot be determined
Q1 . hich of the following pairs of professors teaches on Q 17. hat is the speciali ation of R
Tuesday (a) inance
(a) B and (b) arketing
(b) A and B (c) Either arketing or inance
(c) B and (d) None of these
(d) None of these Q1 . ho is going to Bangalore
(a) R (b) S
Directions for questions 16 to 18: Read the following
(c) P (d) annot be determined
passage and solve the questions based on it.

(i) Seven friends P, Q, R, S, T, and have gathered Directions for questions 19 to 20: Read the following
at the Patna airport. However, only five of them are passage and solve the questions based on it.
scheduled to go to five different places elhi, hennai,
Lucknow, Bangalore and olkata. (i) Six men B, , , , and are split in two groups of three
(ii) ive of them are executives with speciali ations in each and are made to stand in two rows, such that a man
Administrative (Admn), Human Resource anagement in one row is exactly facing a man in the other row.
(HR ), arketing, Systems and inance. (ii) is not at the ends of any row and is to the right of ,
(iii) T is an executive and he is going to hennai and his who is facing . is to the left of , who is facing .
speciali ation is neither inance nor arketing. Q1 . hich of the following groups of men are in the same
(iv) is a system specialist and is going to elhi. is an row
executive but is not going anywhere. (a) B (b)
(v) Q is an executive with speciali ation in HR but has (c) B (d) None of these
come at the airport to see his friends only.
(vi) P is an executive but not from arketing and is going Q . ho is to the immediate left of B
to one of the destinations but not to Bangalore or (a) (b)
olkata. (c) (d) ata inadequate

Part_04.indb 22 08/05/14 5:32 PM