nav · 2026-07-14 · 4 helpful
Step 1: Map the Geometry (The Circular Clock)
Draw a circle with arrows (directions facing inward/outward). Visualize the positions as numbers from 1 to 7 (since there are 7 players).
Clockwise (Right): Moving forward (+1 for R1, +2 for R2).
Anticlockwise (Left): Moving backward (-1 for L1, -2 for L2).
Step 2: Fix a Anchor Point Immediately (this is important)
Always pick the player with a known starting position and an exact first move. Here, Ira makes the first pass.
Fix Ira at Position 1.
Round 1 is L2 (2 places anticlockwise) to Kavya.
Counting 2 steps backward from 1 gives Kavya's position. The positions relative to Ira (moving clockwise):
Ira (1) -> (2)-> (3)-> (4)->(5)->Kavya (6)-> (7)
Step 3: Chain the Known Endpoints
Instead of guessing middle rounds, skip to the definitive constraints (thats important)
Round 8 ends at Mira.
Round 8 pass type is R2 (2 places clockwise).
Inference: The person holding the token in Round 7 must be 2 places counter-clockwise from Mira.
Round 7 receiver is Jai.
Conclusion: Jai is exactly 2 places anticlockwise from Mira (or Mira is 2 places clockwise from Jai).
Keep this relative block -> Jai -> _ ->Mira.
Step 4: Use the "Gap" Strategy for the Seating Arrangement
Look at the sequence of receivers from the problem statement:
Ira -> R1 -> Kavya (R1) -> Nikhil (R2) -> Lalit (R3) -> Mira (R4)
1. We know Mira is 2 steps clockwise from Jai.
2. Lalit (Round 3) passes to Mira (Round 4). Lalit must be close to Mira.
3. Nikhil (Round 2) passes to Lalit (Round 3). Nikhil must be close to Lalit.
4. Kavya (Round 1) passes to Nikhil (Round 2).
By placing Jai next to Ira to satisfy the remaining empty slots, the entire circle locks into place in clockwise order:
Ira -> Jai -> Lalit -> Mira -> Nikhil -> Kavya -> Omar
Now answer questions :)
Draw a circle with arrows (directions facing inward/outward). Visualize the positions as numbers from 1 to 7 (since there are 7 players).
Clockwise (Right): Moving forward (+1 for R1, +2 for R2).
Anticlockwise (Left): Moving backward (-1 for L1, -2 for L2).
Step 2: Fix a Anchor Point Immediately (this is important)
Always pick the player with a known starting position and an exact first move. Here, Ira makes the first pass.
Fix Ira at Position 1.
Round 1 is L2 (2 places anticlockwise) to Kavya.
Counting 2 steps backward from 1 gives Kavya's position. The positions relative to Ira (moving clockwise):
Ira (1) -> (2)-> (3)-> (4)->(5)->Kavya (6)-> (7)
Step 3: Chain the Known Endpoints
Instead of guessing middle rounds, skip to the definitive constraints (thats important)
Round 8 ends at Mira.
Round 8 pass type is R2 (2 places clockwise).
Inference: The person holding the token in Round 7 must be 2 places counter-clockwise from Mira.
Round 7 receiver is Jai.
Conclusion: Jai is exactly 2 places anticlockwise from Mira (or Mira is 2 places clockwise from Jai).
Keep this relative block -> Jai -> _ ->Mira.
Step 4: Use the "Gap" Strategy for the Seating Arrangement
Look at the sequence of receivers from the problem statement:
Ira -> R1 -> Kavya (R1) -> Nikhil (R2) -> Lalit (R3) -> Mira (R4)
1. We know Mira is 2 steps clockwise from Jai.
2. Lalit (Round 3) passes to Mira (Round 4). Lalit must be close to Mira.
3. Nikhil (Round 2) passes to Lalit (Round 3). Nikhil must be close to Lalit.
4. Kavya (Round 1) passes to Nikhil (Round 2).
By placing Jai next to Ira to satisfy the remaining empty slots, the entire circle locks into place in clockwise order:
Ira -> Jai -> Lalit -> Mira -> Nikhil -> Kavya -> Omar
Now answer questions :)