Consider the following: A is taller than B. C is taller than A. D is taller…
2023
Consider the following:
A is taller than B.
C is taller than A.
D is taller than C.
E is the tallest of all.
If they are arranged in descending order of height, who will occupy the middle position?
Answer: C. C — ConceptRelative-order problems are solved by converting every comparison into one consistent chain. With five distinct people, the middle position is the…
- A.
A
- B.
B
- C.
C
- D.
D
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Relative-order problems are solved by converting every comparison into one consistent chain.
With five distinct people, the middle position is the third place in that chain, whether it is read from tallest to shortest or from shortest to tallest.
Application
From “A is taller than B,” write A > B.
Since C is taller than A, extend the chain to C > A > B.
Since D is taller than C, extend it to D > C > A > B.
E is tallest, so the complete descending chain is E > D > C > A > B.
The third person in this five-person chain is C.
Cross-check
Reading the same chain from shortest to tallest gives B < A < C < D < E; C is still third.
Therefore, C occupies the middle position.