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Number, Ranking and Time Sequence

Practice MCQs

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Reasoning Ability Number, Ranking and Time Sequence Competitive Exams

Number, Ranking and Time Sequence questions test your ability to arrange people, numbers, positions, dates, days, months, and events in the correct order. These questions are common in reasoning sections of competitive and entrance exams.

What is Number, Ranking and Time Sequence?

In this topic, you are usually given information about the position, rank, order, age, date, time, or sequence of events. You must use the given clues to find the correct position or missing value.

These questions may involve the rank of a person from the top or bottom, the number of people between two persons, the sequence of events, or the order of days and dates.

Quick idea: Always identify the reference point first — top, bottom, left, right, before, after, earlier, later, first, or last.
Question Type What is Asked? Example
Ranking Position from top, bottom, left, or right Ravi is 7th from the top
Total Number Total persons/items in a row or list 5th from left and 8th from right
Number Between Persons/items between two positions A is 4th and B is 10th
Time Sequence Order of events, days, months, or dates Event A happened before Event B
Comparison Order Arrange by age, height, marks, weight, etc. A is taller than B but shorter than C

“Ranking questions become simple when you clearly mark the direction and position.”

Reasoning Tip
Key Points
  • Identify whether ranking is from top or bottom.
  • Check whether order is left to right or right to left.
  • Use position formula carefully.
  • Do not confuse before and after.
  • Draw a small line diagram if needed.
  • In time sequence, arrange events step by step.
ranking sequence position time

Important Ranking Formulas

These formulas are very useful in ranking and position-based questions.

Situation Formula Use
Total from both ends \(\text{Total} = \text{Left position} + \text{Right position} - 1\) When one person's position from both ends is known
Top and bottom rank \(\text{Total} = \text{Top rank} + \text{Bottom rank} - 1\) When one person's rank from top and bottom is known
Persons between two positions \(\text{Between} = \text{Difference of positions} - 1\) When two positions are counted from the same side
Unknown opposite rank \(\text{Opposite rank} = \text{Total} - \text{Known rank} + 1\) To find rank from the other end
Important: Use the formula only after confirming that both ranks refer to the same person. If ranks refer to different persons, draw a simple position line.

Common Question Patterns

Most questions in this topic are based on position, order, comparison, or time sequence.

1. Rank from Both Ends

One person's position from both sides is given.

Ravi is 8th from the left and 12th from the right.
Total = \(8 + 12 - 1 = 19\)
2. Number Between

Find how many persons are between two positions.

A is 5th and B is 13th from left.
Between = \(13 - 5 - 1 = 7\)
3. Comparison Order

Arrange persons by height, age, marks, or weight.

A is taller than B.
C is taller than A.
Order: C, A, B
4. Time Sequence

Arrange events according to before and after clues.

A before B, B before C.
Sequence: A, B, C
Tip: For ranking, mark positions on a line. For time sequence, arrange events in chronological order.

Important Words in Ranking and Time Sequence

Word / Phrase Meaning Example
Before Earlier than another event/person A comes before B → A, B
After Later than another event/person A comes after B → B, A
Immediately before Directly before, with no one in between A immediately before B → A, B together
Immediately after Directly after, with no one in between A immediately after B → B, A together
Between Position inside two given points C is between A and B
Rank Position in an ordered list 5th rank means four persons are before him
Quick check: “Before” and “after” are the most common sources of mistakes. Always write a small order line to avoid confusion.

Step-by-Step Solving Method

Step Action Example
Step 1 Identify the type of question. Ranking, total number, comparison, or time sequence
Step 2 Find the reference direction. From left, right, top, bottom, before, or after
Step 3 Write the given positions clearly. Ravi: 8th from left, 12th from right
Step 4 Use formula or draw position line. \(8 + 12 - 1 = 19\)
Step 5 Verify the answer with the question. Total persons = 19
Important: If two people are involved, do not directly apply the single-person rank formula. First check whether their positions overlap or are separate.

Worked Example 1: Rank from Both Ends

Ravi is 9th from the left and 16th from the right in a row. How many students are there in the row?

Formula: \[ \text{Total} = \text{Left position} + \text{Right position} - 1 \]
\[ \text{Total} = 9 + 16 - 1 = 24 \]

Therefore, there are 24 students in the row.

Worked Example 2: Number Between Two Persons

A is 6th from the left and B is 15th from the left. How many persons are between A and B?

Since both positions are counted from the same side: \[ \text{Persons between} = 15 - 6 - 1 \]
\[ \text{Persons between} = 8 \]

Therefore, 8 persons are between A and B.

Worked Example 3: Time Sequence

Four events A, B, C, and D happened as follows:

  • A happened before C.
  • B happened after C.
  • D happened before A.

Arrange the events in correct order.

D happened before A, and A happened before C. So: D → A → C
B happened after C. So final order is: D → A → C → B

Therefore, the correct time sequence is D, A, C, B.

Common Types of Questions

Rank from Top / Bottom

Find total students or opposite rank.

  • Top rank
  • Bottom rank
  • Total students
  • Opposite rank
Left / Right Position

Used in row arrangement questions.

  • Left position
  • Right position
  • Middle position
  • Total persons
Order Comparison

Arrange people or objects by comparison.

  • Height
  • Age
  • Marks
  • Weight
Time Sequence

Arrange events according to time clues.

  • Before
  • After
  • Earlier
  • Later
Rule: Always confirm whether the rank is from the same side or opposite sides. This decides whether to subtract, add, or draw a diagram.

Solved Examples

Question Method Answer
Amit is 7th from the top and 18th from the bottom. Find total students. \(7 + 18 - 1 = 24\) 24
Ravi is 12th from the left in a row of 30. Find his position from the right. \(30 - 12 + 1 = 19\) 19th
A is 5th and B is 14th from the left. How many are between them? \(14 - 5 - 1 = 8\) 8
Meena is 10th from the right and 21st from the left. Find total persons. \(10 + 21 - 1 = 30\) 30
A is taller than B. C is taller than A. Who is tallest? Order: C, A, B C
A happened before B. C happened after B. Find order. A before B, and C after B A, B, C
Monday is two days after which day? Two days before Monday is Saturday Saturday
If today is Wednesday, what day will it be after 10 days? \(10 \div 7\) leaves remainder \(3\). Wednesday + 3 = Saturday Saturday

Note: For day-based questions, divide the number of days by 7 and use the remainder.

Common Traps and Shortcuts

Common Traps
  • Confusing rank from top with rank from bottom.
  • Forgetting to subtract 1 in total rank formula.
  • Confusing left and right positions.
  • Using same-side formula for opposite-side positions.
  • Misreading before and after in time sequence.
  • Forgetting to use remainder in day sequence questions.
Useful Shortcuts
  • Use \(L + R - 1\) for one person's position from both sides.
  • Use total minus known rank plus one for opposite rank.
  • Use difference minus one for persons between same-side positions.
  • Draw a small line for two-person ranking problems.
  • For days, divide by 7 and use the remainder.
  • For event sequence, write clues one by one in order.
Exam approach: Identify whether the question is based on rank from both ends, opposite rank, number between, comparison order, or time sequence.

Practice

A) Multiple Choice Questions
  1. Ravi is 8th from the left and 13th from the right. How many persons are in the row?
    19 20 21 22
  2. Anil is 15th from the left in a row of 40. What is his position from the right?
    24th 25th 26th 27th
  3. A is 6th and B is 16th from the left. How many persons are between them?
    8 9 10 11
  4. If today is Tuesday, what day will it be after 9 days?
    Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
  5. A happened before B, and C happened after B. What is the correct order?
    A, B, C B, A, C C, B, A A, C, B
B) Solve the Higher-Order Problems
  1. Meera is 11th from the top and 20th from the bottom. Find the total number of students. Hint: Use top rank + bottom rank - 1.
  2. In a row of 50 students, Ajay is 18th from the left. Find his position from the right. Hint: Opposite rank = total - known rank + 1.
  3. P is 7th from the left and Q is 19th from the left. How many persons are between P and Q? Hint: Difference of positions - 1.
  4. A is older than B. C is younger than B. D is older than A. Who is the oldest? Hint: Arrange from oldest to youngest.
  5. Event D happened before A. A happened before C. B happened after C. Arrange the events. Hint: Link the clues one by one.
Reasoning Reminder

Number, ranking and time sequence questions require careful reading. Identify the reference point first, then use the correct formula or arrangement method.

Task: Create five questions using rank from both ends, opposite rank, number between, day sequence, and event order.

Show Suggested Answers
Multiple Choice
  1. 20
    Total = \(8 + 13 - 1 = 20\).
  2. 26th
    Position from right = \(40 - 15 + 1 = 26\).
  3. 9
    Persons between = \(16 - 6 - 1 = 9\).
  4. Thursday
    \(9 \div 7\) gives remainder \(2\). Tuesday + 2 days = Thursday.
  5. A, B, C
    A is before B, and C is after B. So order is A, B, C.
Higher-Order Problems
  1. Meera is 11th from top and 20th from bottom.
    Total = \(11 + 20 - 1 = 30\).
    Answer = 30.
  2. Ajay is 18th from left in a row of 50.
    Position from right = \(50 - 18 + 1 = 33\).
    Answer = 33rd.
  3. P is 7th and Q is 19th from left.
    Persons between = \(19 - 7 - 1 = 11\).
    Answer = 11.
  4. A is older than B. C is younger than B. D is older than A.
    Order: D, A, B, C.
    Answer = D.
  5. D happened before A, A before C, and B after C.
    Sequence: D → A → C → B.
    Answer = D, A, C, B.
Clue Explanation

Ranking problems depend on direction and position. Time sequence problems depend on before and after clues. Writing a small position line helps avoid mistakes.

Exam Tips
  • Mark top, bottom, left, and right clearly.
  • Use \(L + R - 1\) only for the same person.
  • Use total - rank + 1 for opposite rank.
  • For day questions, use remainder after dividing by 7.
  • For sequence questions, write clues in order.
  • Check if two persons are counted from the same side.
Practice MCQs