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Difficulty: HardSeating Arrangement

Eight diplomats—H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O—are seated around a square table for a summit. Four of them sit at the four corners of the table facing the center, while the other four sit in the middle of each of the four sides facing outward (away from the center).

The seating arrangement satisfies the following conditions:
- L sits at a corner.
- H sits third to the right of L.
- M sits second to the left of H.
- N is an immediate neighbor of both H and M.
- J sits opposite to K, who is an immediate neighbor of M.
- I sits to the immediate left of L.

Based on the given information, who sits third to the right of N?

  1. IAnswer
  2. B
    O
  3. C
    K
  4. D
    L

Answer

I
Based on the arrangement, N is seated at a corner and faces the center. For a person facing the center, 'right' corresponds to the counter-clockwise direction. Moving three positions counter-clockwise from N takes us past M and K, landing exactly on I.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define the directional rules based on facing orientation.
Corners face IN (Left = Clockwise, Right = Counter-Clockwise). Sides face OUT (Left = Counter-Clockwise, Right = Clockwise).
Crucial for accurately placing individuals according to relative position clues.
2
Place L and deduce H's position.
Let L sit at the Top-Left corner (facing IN). H is 3rd to the right (CCW), placing H in the middle of the Bottom side (facing OUT).
Anchoring the arrangement with the most definite starting clue.
3
Determine M and N's positions.
M is 2nd to the left of H. Since H faces OUT, left is CCW, placing M at the Right side. N is between H and M, so N is at the Bottom-Right corner (facing IN).
Following the chain of interconnected clues.
4
Place K and J.
K is an immediate neighbor of M. The only available spot next to M is the Top-Right corner, so K is there. J is opposite K, placing J at the Bottom-Left corner.
Satisfying the opposite condition and neighbor constraint.
5
Place I and O.
I is to the immediate left of L. L faces IN, so left is CW, placing I at the Top side. The remaining person O takes the last spot at the Left side.
Completing the seating arrangement.
6
Identify the person third to the right of N.
N is at the Bottom-Right corner (facing IN). Right is CCW. 1st is M, 2nd is K, 3rd is I.
Answering the specific question asked in the stem.

Key Concept

Positional reasoning with mixed facing directions around a closed geometric shape.
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Topics

Seating Arrangement

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