Linear Arrangement Reasoning: Key Concepts, Solved Examples, & Prep Tips

Linear Arrangement is a special type of Sitting Arrangement, where persons or objects are required to be placed in proper order in a straight line. Many students find this section difficult as the questions are tricky in nature. Linear Arrangement can be classified into three types such as single row unidirectional, single row bidirectional and dual row linear arrangement. 

In this article, we are going to cover the key concepts of Linear Arrangement Reasoning along with the various types of it, solved examples, practice questions and the tips and tricks to solve the questions related to linear arrangement reasoning. Read the article thoroughly to clear all the doubts regarding the same. 

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What is Linear Arrangement Reasoning?

Linear Arrangement is a special type of Sitting Arrangement, where persons or objects are required to be placed in proper order in a straight line. candidates are required to arrange people in a row or multiple rows according to the given conditions. Candidates need to identify the exact position of the objects and their positions with respect to one another based on the information given. Let us understand various types of linear reasoning one by one from below. 

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Types of Linear Arrangement Reasoning 

Let us see the various types of questions that may come in the Linear Arrangement Reasoning section one by one from below. 

1. Single Row Unidirectional 

In this type of linear arrangement, people will be arranged in a single row and everyone will face in the same direction. 

2. Single Row Bidirectional 

In this type of linear arrangement, people will be arranged in a single row and they will face in two different directions. 

3. Dual Row 

 In this type of linear arrangement, people will be arranged in 2 different rows. 

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How to Solve Question Based on Linear Arrangement Reasoning – Know all Tips and Tricks 

Candidates can find various tips and tricks from below for solving the questions related to the Linear Arrangement Reasoning section. 

Tip # 1: In a linear arrangement, If A is three people away from B is given then 3 – 1  = 2 people will sit between them. 

Tip # 2: Candidates need to keep the following points in mind while solving the linear arrangement based questions. 

• When A is second to the left of B: A – B 
• When A is second to right of B: B – A 
• When A is 2 places away from B: A/B – – B/A 
• When A is two places to the right of B or B is two places to the left of A: B – A 
• When there are 2 people between A and B: A – – B 

Tip # 3: Practice mock tests and quizzes as much as possible to get well versed with all the topics and their question patterns to score well in the linear arrangement reasoning section. 

Linear Arrangement Reasoning Sample Questions

Question 1: 6 persons are sitting in a row. They are A, B, C, D, E and F. C is not sitting beside D who is sitting on the extreme right. E is between A and C. A is not sitting beside F and D. B is between F and D. Who is the immediate right of A?

Solution: If we analyse the given linear arrangement, then we will see that E is sitting to the immediate right of A. 

Question 2: 5 persons A, B, C, D, and E are sitting in a row facing North such that D is on the left of C and B is on the right of E. A is on the right of C and B is on the left of D. If E occupies a corner position, then who is sitting in the center? 

Solution: If we analyse the given linear arrangement,  then we will clearly see that D is sitting in the center. 

Question 3: There are five houses P, Q, R, S and T. P is right of Q and T is left of R and right of P. Q is right of S. Which house is in the middle? 

Solution: If we arrange the houses by following the given question, then we get P is in the middle of all the houses. 

Question 4: 8 persons A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are sitting in two rows opposite to each other. Each row has 4 people. B and C are sitting in front of each other. C is between D and E. H is sitting to the immediate left of E. H and F are diagonally opposite. G and B are not near to each other. Who is in front of A?

Solution: If we analyse the given linear arrangement, we will get E is in front of A. 

Question 5: 

Direction: Study the following information and answer the given questions.

Pawan, Qaseem, Rajan, Suresh, Tariq, Uzma, Waseem, and Zainab are sitting in a line facing north. Zainab sits third to the left of Suresh. Zainab sits at the extreme end of the row. Only one person sat between Suresh and Qaseem. Only two people sit between Qaseem and Waseem, who is an immediate neighbor of Pawan. Uzma sits third to the left of Rajan. 

Who is an immediate neighbor of Tariq?

Solution: 

People: Pawan, Qaseem, Rajan, Suresh, Tariq, Uzma, Waseem, and Zainab.

1. Zainab sits third to the left of Suresh.
2. Zainab sits at the extreme end of the row.
3. Only one person sat between Suresh and Qaseem.
4. Only two people sit between Qaseem and Waseem, who is an immediate neighbor of Pawan.
5. Uzma sits third to the left of Rajan

Hence, Qaseem and Rajan is an immediate neighbor of Tariq.

Question 6: Eight persons A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are sitting in a line and an equal number of persons are facing north and south direction. Not more than two consecutive adjacent persons face in the same direction. Persons at extreme ends face in the same direction.

A sits third to the right of D, who sits immediate right of H. H faces north direction. Two people sit between A and E. D does not sit at the extreme end. B sits immediate right of C and both face south direction. B and A are not adjacent to each other. G does not face south.

If row-1 people sit in alphabetical order starting from the left end then who will face S?

 Solution: 

1. D is facing the person who is sitting 2nd to the right of the person who faces C.
2. B is sitting to the left of D.
3. P is sitting 2nd to the right of S.
4. Neither P nor S sit at any of the extreme ends of the row.
5. R sits second to the left of T.
6. T sits at one of the extreme ends but doesn’t face C.
7. E is not an immediate neighbor of D.

Using statement 7, Case 1.B will be eliminated.

1. A sits to the left of E.

D will face S if persons of Row 1 are arranged according to alphabetical order. So the correct answer is D.

Exams where Linear Arrangement Arrangement is Part of Syllabus

Questions based on the linear arrangement reasoning section come up often in various prestigious government exams some of them are as follows. 

• Bank (PO & Clerk) Exams 
• SSC (CGL, 10+2, Steno, FCI, CPO, Multitasking)
• LIC (AAO & ADO)
• RRB
• UPSC 
• State PSC Exams 

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We hope you found this article regarding the linear arrangement reasoning section was informative and helpful, and please do not hesitate to contact us for any doubts or queries regarding the same. You can also download the Testbook App, which is absolutely free and start preparing for any government competitive examination by taking the mock tests before the examination to boost your preparation.

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