Mixed-direction linear puzzles confuse almost every aspirant because left and right swap depending on which way a person faces. This guide gives you the clearest linear seating arrangement tricks facing north and south, with a visual orientation matrix and a fully solved 8-person puzzle.
Table of Contents
North vs South Facing Orientation Rule Matrix
| Person Faces | Left Hand Points To | Right Hand Points To | Memory Hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | West (your left on paper) | East (your right on paper) | Same as you face a map |
| South | East (your right on paper) | West (your left on paper) | Left-right gets reversed |
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):
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.
Solution (left to right)
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person | B | E | C | A | D | G | H | F |
| Direction | South | South | South | North | North | North | North | South |
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.
3 Exam-Day Tips
- 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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Q1. What does "immediate left" mean in linear arrangement?
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.
Q2. How many linear arrangement questions come in Bank PO?
Expect one complete set (4-6 questions) in Prelims and often a more complex version in Mains.
Q3. Which is tougher — circular or linear arrangement?
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.