Seven boxes G, H, I, J, P, Q and R are kept one above another, but not…
2025
Seven boxes G, H, I, J, P, Q and R are kept one above another, but not necessarily in the same order. No box is kept above H. Only three boxes are kept between H and J. Only one box is kept between Q and R. R is kept immediately above J. Only four boxes are kept between Q and I. P is kept at some place above G. Which box is kept at the second position below P?
- A.
G
- B.
J
- C.
H
- D.
Q
Attempted by 4 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept: In a floor/level-based vertical arrangement puzzle, number the stack positions from the bottom (1) to the top (n). Translate every "above/below" and "boxes between" clue into a position equation, and start from any clue that pins an object to a stack boundary (top or bottom) — that fixes an exact position immediately and lets every other clue be solved by substitution.
Step-by-step:
There are 7 positions in the stack, numbered 1 (bottom) to 7 (top).
"No box is kept above H" fixes H at the topmost position, position 7.
"Only three boxes are kept between H and J" means J is 4 positions away from H (3 boxes in between + H itself). Since H is already at the top boundary, J must be 4 positions below H: J = 7 - 4 = position 3.
"R is kept immediately above J" gives R = J + 1 = position 4.
"Only one box is kept between Q and R" places Q either 2 positions above R (position 6) or 2 positions below R (position 2).
"Only four boxes are kept between Q and I" tests both options for Q. If Q were at position 2, I would need to be 5 positions away, landing on position 7 — already taken by H — so this branch is impossible. With Q at position 6, I is 5 positions away at position 1, which is free. So Q = position 6 and I = position 1.
The two positions left, 2 and 5, go to G and P. "P is kept at some place above G" means P's position number is larger, so P = position 5 and G = position 2.
Final arrangement (bottom to top):
Position | Box |
|---|---|
1 | I |
2 | G |
3 | J |
4 | R |
5 | P |
6 | Q |
7 | H |
Cross-check: Every clue holds in this arrangement — H has nothing above it; exactly three boxes (positions 4, 5, 6) sit between H(7) and J(3); exactly one box (position 5) sits between Q(6) and R(4); R(4) is immediately above J(3); exactly four boxes (positions 2, 3, 4, 5) sit between Q(6) and I(1); and P(5) is above G(2).
Answer: P is at position 5. The second position below P is position 5 - 2 = position 3, which is occupied by J.