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Order and Ranking reasoning broadly deals with the problems related to the arrangement of persons or objects in ascending or descending order based on different parameters like height, weight, merit, position, and so on. Determining the position of a person or object in a row or queue and the problems related to the time sequence test, wherein candidates need to find out a particular day based on the given conditions.
Different types of order and ranking questions are covered such as sequential order or arrangement, position test, time sequence test, and so on. Several types of problems based on order and ranking reasoning sections are asked in various government competitive exams.
Types of Order and Ranking
As now we know what consists of the questions related to the Order and Ranking input-output reasoning section. Let us see the various types of questions that may come one by one below.
1. Ranking Based
In this type of order and ranking reasoning, candidates need to find the position or rank of a person. Ranking based questions can be further divided into various categories and some of them are given below.
(a) Rank from Left/Right: In these type of questions on order and ranking in reasoning, candidates need to find the position or rank of a person from left or right end, according to the given question.
(b) Total Person in a Row: In these type of order and ranking reasoning questions, candidates need to find the total number of people in a row or a class.
(c) Person between two people: This type of order and ranking reasoning is also known as overlapping based reasoning. In this type of order and ranking reasoning, candidates need to find the number of persons between two people when their rank satisfies the condition of overlapping.
(d) Persons between two people: This type of order and ranking reasoning is also known as non overlapping based reasoning. In this type of order and ranking reasoning, candidates need to find the number of persons between the two people when their rank does not satisfy the condition of overlapping.
(e) Interchanging the positions: In these type of order and ranking reasoning questions, candidates need to find the position of person or the total number of persons in the row when 2 people change their positions.
(f) Ratio Based Problems: In these type of questions on order and ranking in reasoning, candidates need to find the position or rank of a girl or a boy when the ratio of them is given.
Check more details on Statement & Conclusion Reasoning
2. Comparison Based
In this type of order and ranking reasoning, candidates need to compare different quantities to determine the correct order.
How to Solve Order and Ranking Reasoning Questions – Tips and Tricks
Candidates can find various tips and order and ranking reasoning tricks from below for solving the questions that may come in govt. competitive exams:
Tip # 1: Position can be from either side of the row, and rank is always from top or bottom of the row.
Tip # 2: Candidates can calculate the total number of persons in a row or column by using the formula: Total Person = Rank from left + Rank from right – 1
Tip # 3: For non overlapping type questions, number of persons between two people = The total number of persons – Sum of positions of two different people from opposite sides.
Tip # 4: For overlapping type questions, number of persons between two people = Sum of positions of two different persons from opposite end – total number of persons – 2
Tip # 5: Condition for overlapping is, The sum of positions of the two persons from opposite ends > total number of persons
Here is a Sample Question to showcase the 5 tips and order and ranking shortcuts:
In a row of students, John is 8th from the left end, and Mary is 12th from the right end. Calculate the total number of students in the row.
A) 18
B) 19
C) 20
D) 21
Answer:
C) 20
Explanation (using Tip #2):
Total number of students = Rank from left + Rank from right – 1
Total number of students = 8 + 12 – 1
Total number of students = 20
This means there are 20 students in the row.
Let’s go through the other tips as well:
Tip #3 (For non-overlapping type questions):
Question (non-overlapping): How many students are there between John and Mary?
Using Tip #3:
Number of students between John and Mary = Total number of students – (Position of John from left + Position of Mary from right)
Number of students between John and Mary = 20 – (8 + 12)
Number of students between John and Mary = 20 – 20
Number of students between John and Mary = 0
So, there are 0 students between John and Mary.
Tip #4 (For overlapping type questions):
Question (overlapping): How many students are there between the student who is 4th from the left end and the student who is 6th from the right end?
Using Tip #4:
Number of students between the two students = Sum of positions of two different students from opposite ends – Total number of students – 2
Number of students between the two students = (4 + 6) – 20 – 2
Number of students between the two students = 10 – 20 – 2
Number of students between the two students = -12
Since the number is negative, there are no students between the specified positions.
Tip #5 (Condition for overlapping):
For overlapping type questions, the sum of positions of the two persons from opposite ends should be greater than the total number of persons.
In this case, 4 + 6 = 10, which is less than the total number of students (20). So, it’s not an overlapping type question.