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MichaelchueroaMarch 3, 2019
Can I have explanation, please.
RaviMarch 11, 2019
@Michaelchueroa,
Happy to provide a written explanation.
We know the starting position of the game is
R J S M L
From the game, our rules are
1) Matches are played alternately in odd-position rounds and in even-position rounds
2) In odd rounds, teams in 3 and 5 play teams in 2 and 4
3) In even rounds, teams in 2 and 4 play teams in 1 and 3
4) When a lower-positioned team plays a higher-positioned team, the two teams switch positions after the round is over
We're told that three rounds have occurred and that the order of the teams is R J L S M. The question is asking us what could be the order, from first to fifth, of the teams after the second round?
We know the matches are played in odd-position followed by even-position. This means that the first and third round are odd-position rounds and the second round is an even-position round.
How could we have gotten to R J L S M? We know the round before this was even, so 2 and 4 were playing 1 and 3, respectively. This means R and J were playing L and S. What this also means is that M was not playing anyone in the second round. Since M wasn't playing anyone, M has to also be in position 5 in the second round.
In looking at the answer choices, the only answer in which M is in 5 is (C), so (C) is the correct answer. Additionally, (C) correctly has R and J in either 1 or 2 and S and L in either 3 or 4. We know those teams had to be in those positions (regardless of who ended up winning) since those were the teams who were playing each other.
Does this make sense? Let us know if you have any more questions!
manvirAugust 10, 2019
How do we know that the first and third rounds are odd? Why can't they go even odd even?
IrinaAugust 10, 2019
@manvir,
Great question. This game does allow for either order - E O E or O E O. The correct answer choice (C) is, in fact, only possible if the last round is even. Let's review the question again:
The order after round 3 is R J L S M. Let's consider two scenarios:
(1) if the order is O E O and the round before #3 is O, the only teams that could have been at play are L v J and S v M. In this case, R could not have switched places with anyone.
(2) if the order is E O E and the round before #3 is E, the only teams that could have been at play are R v J and L v S. In this scenario, M could not have moved.
Thus, we can right away eliminate answer choice (A) where neither R is first nor M is last. Let's look at the rest of the options:
(B) J L S M R R could only switch places with J under scenario 2, and must stay put under scenario 1, thus (B) is out.
(C) R J S L M Per scenario 2, L &S could switch places, R v J play against each other but keep their places - this could be true and thus the correct answer.
(D) R L M S J J could only switch places with R under scenario 1 or L under scenario 2. It is impossible for J to go from 2 to 5, thus (D) is out.
(E) R M L S J M could only switch places with S under scenario 1 and must stay in place under scenario 1, thus it is impossible for M to move from 5 to 2, and (E) is out.
I think the key to this game is to remember that in one round any of the players can move at most one place, so any of the answer choices where players skip over in only one round will be wrong.
Does this help? Let me know if you have any further questions.
