Six students P, Q, R, S, T and U, with distinct heights, compare their heights…

2021

Six students P, Q, R, S, T and U, with distinct heights, compare their heights and make the following observations.

Observation I: S is taller than R.

Observation II: Q is the shortest of all.

Observation III: U is taller than only one student.

Observation IV: T is taller than S but is not the tallest.

The number of students that are taller than R is the same as the number of students shorter than ______.

  1. A.

    T

  2. B.

    R

  3. C.

    S

  4. D.

    P

Attempted by 27 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Key facts: from the observations we have S > R; Q is the shortest; U is taller than only one student (so U is second shortest); and T > S with T not the tallest.

  • Place Q as the shortest (6th) and U as the second shortest (5th).

  • The remaining four positions (1st to 4th) are for P, T, S, R. From T > S > R and T not being the tallest, someone must be taller than T, so P must be the tallest (1st).

  • Thus the complete order from tallest to shortest is: P, T, S, R, U, Q.

  • Count students taller than R: three (P, T, S). Count students shorter than S: three (R, U, Q). These counts are equal, so the correct person is S.

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