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GATE 2025 XH5 (Psychology) – Question 8

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

Eight students (P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W) are playing musical chairs. The figure indicates their order of position at the start of the game. They play the game by moving forward in a circle in the clockwise direction.

After the 1st round, 4th student behind P leaves the game. After 2nd round, 5th student behind Q leaves the game. After 3rd round, 3rd student behind V leaves the game. After 4th round, 4th student behind U leaves the game. Who all are left in the game after the 4th round?

Note: The figure shown is representative.

Eight students seated round a circle in clockwise order P, R, T, Q, S, V, U, W, with P at the top.
  1. P; T; Q; S
  2. V; P; T; Q
  3. W; R; Q; V
  4. Q; T; V; W

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (D) Q; T; V; W

Explanation

Clockwise the order is P, R, T, Q, S, V, U, W. 'Behind' a student means going back against the clockwise direction. Round 1: the 4th behind P is W, U, V, S, so S leaves. Round 2: the 5th behind Q is T, R, P, W, U, so U leaves. Round 3: the 3rd behind V is Q, T, R, so R leaves. Five are left: P, T, Q, V and W. Round 4 counts from where U was sitting: the 4th behind U's seat is V, Q, T, P, so P leaves. The students left are Q, T, V and W.