Order & Ranking
Order & Ranking
Order and ranking problems involve determining a person's position from the left, right, top, or bottom of a row or queue. The key formula relates total count to individual positions.
Key Idea
Total = Left position + Right position - 1. Always convert all given information to positions from one end before solving.
Core Rules
Total Formula
Total = Position from Left + Position from Right - 1
When two positions of the same person from opposite ends are given.
Position from Other End
Position from Right = Total - Position from Left + 1
When total and one position are known, find the other.
Between Counting
People between A and B = |Position_A - Position_B| - 1
When asked how many people sit between two known positions.
Interchange Rule
After interchange, new position of A = old position of B and vice versa
When two people swap positions and new rankings are given.
Minimum Total
If A is nth from left and B is mth from right, minimum total = n + m - 1 (if they could be the same person) or n + m (if different)
When asked for the minimum number of people in a row.
Relevant Exams
Order & Ranking appears as 3-4 questions in SSC CGL and 2-3 in IBPS PO. These are quick-solve questions if formulas are applied directly — high ROI for exam preparation.