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GATE 2025 CE (CE2) – Question 7

General Aptitude · Analytical Aptitude: Logical Reasoning and Deduction · 2 marks · Multiple choice

For the clock shown in the figure, if
$O^* = O\ Q\ S\ Z\ P\ R\ T$, and
$X^* = X\ Z\ P\ W\ Y\ O\ Q$,
then which one among the given options is most appropriate for $P^*$ ?

a clock face with the twelve letters O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z placed in order, clockwise, at the positions of 12, 1, 2, ..., 11 o'clock.
  1. P U W R T V X
  2. P R T O Q S U
  3. P T V Q S U W
  4. P S U P R T V

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (B) P R T O Q S U

Explanation

Put the letters at the clock positions O = 0, P = 1, Q = 2, ..., Z = 11. For $O^*$ the positions are 0, 2, 4, 11, 1, 3, 5, so the steps from the first letter are 0, +2, +4, −1, +1, +3, +5. For $X^*$ (X = 9) the positions are 9, 11, 1, 8, 10, 0, 2, which are the same steps (mod 12). So $P^*$ starts at P = 1 and goes to 3, 5, 0, 2, 4, 6, which are the letters P R T O Q S U.