Linear Seating Arrangement Tricks: North vs South Facing

Last updated: June 27, 2026. For coaching and doubts, contactShortcut Maths, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032. Call+91-9804490328.

North vs South Facing Orientation Rule Matrix

Visual Diagram: 8 Persons Facing Mixed Directions

North-facing persons look UP; South-facing persons look DOWN.

Top row (North-facing):

Bottom row (South-facing):

Top row (North-facing):

            NORTH

Solved Example: 8-Person Linear Puzzle

Question: Eight persons A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H sit in a straight line. Four face North and four face South.

B sits at the extreme left end and faces South.
D sits third to the right of B.
A faces North and sits immediate left of D.
E sits second to the left of A.
C faces the same direction as E and is not adjacent to B.
F sits immediate right of H, who faces North.
G is not at either end.

How to Decode "Immediate Left" vs "Third to the Left"

Immediate left: the very next seat on the person's left side.
Second to the left: skip one seat, take the next.
Third to the left: skip two seats, take the next.
Exactly between: equal number of persons on both sides.

Pro Tip: Always read directions from the reference person's viewpoint, not from your own. Write "N↑" above north-facing persons and "S↓" below south-facing persons in your rough sketch.

3 Exam-Day Tips

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Mark directions first: Before placing anyone, note who faces North and who faces South.
Use position numbers 1 to 8: It prevents left/right confusion when clues overlap.
Keep two parallel lines: One line for persons, one line for directions. This is the method we teach at Shortcut Maths Bank Coaching.

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FAQs

It means the seat directly next to the reference person on their own left-hand side. For a south-facing person, that is towards your right on the paper.

Expect one complete set (4-6 questions) in Prelims and often a more complex version in Mains.

It depends on the clues. Mixed-direction linear puzzles are often trickier because left/right reverses; circular puzzles with inward/outward facing create similar confusion.

Last updated: June 27, 2026. For Bank/SSC coaching in Kolkata, call +91-9804490328.

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