Rule 1 says at least 2 nurse session go between H and M
1) H_ _ M or M _ _ H (at least 2 in between)
Rule 2 says G goes the day before K
2) GK
Rule 3 says J goes after M
3) M - J
Rule 4 says F is before K but after L
4) L - F - K
We can combine rule 2 and rule 4 because they have overlapping pieces:
L - F - GK
Rule 5 says L can't be in 2
5) L not in 2
Notice how each piece is mentioned in at least 1 rule, so there aren't any floaters.
What inferences can we make? Let's Look at L because it's a leader and has a lot of things after it, and it can't go in 2.
We know L can't go in 5, 6, or 7 because it has at least 3 pieces after it. Based on what we see so far, L looks like it could go into 1, 3, or 4, but we don't know for sure since there are also a bunch of other rules.
Let's see what happens if we put L in 4.
If L is in 4, then we know F, G, and K need to go in 5, 6, and 7. However, we have a problem now. Remember rule 1? Well, with L in 4, H and M don't have at least 2 spots between them, which they need. This means L can't be in 4. So now L just has 2 possible options (1 and 3). Let's test L in 3 now.
If L is in 3, F, G, and K have to go after, but there's still a free spot for M or H to go in, which means that H and M can be separated by at least 2 spots.
Let's make 2 game boards: one with L in 1, and one with L in 3.
L _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ L _ _ _ _
In looking at the L in 3 board, we know H and M have to have at least 2 pieces between them and M has to go before J. However, we have a problem if we put J after L with F, G, and K. If J is back there, then H and M have to go in 1 and 2, so that doesn't work. So J has to be in 1 or 2, and we know J is a follower, so J must go in 2. We also know M has to go before J, so M is in 1.
M J L _ _ _ _
Now H goes after L with F, G, and K. It can go anywhere there s long as we satisfy the L - F - GK rule.
Now, let's look at the L in 1 board.
The L can't be in 2 rule is irrelevant since we have L in 1, and we also know that because L is before everyone else, then the L - F - GK rule reduces to F - GK.
L _ _ _ _ _ _
This board is very open-ended, so we just need to keep in mind the rules of the game when looking at it.
Armed with these scenarios, we're well equipped to answer the questions in this game.
Does this help? Let us know if you have any more questions!
