UPSC CSE Prelims
Puzzle Test Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
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Solved Previous Year Questions
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Two identical straight rods are painted in five distinct colours so that each of them gets divided into five equal parts along the length. In one of them, the portions are marked P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 (not necessarily in that order) whereas in the other, they are marked Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q5 (not necessarily in that order). When the rods are kept parallel to each other side by side, P1 and Q3 match, P4 matches Q1 or Q2, and Q4 matches P3 or P5. If Q3 and Q5 are adjacent, which of the following is/are possible?
I. Q3 is marked at the middle portion of the straight rod.
II. P2 is marked at one of the extreme portions of the straight rod.
Select the answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
Two identical rods painted in five distinct colours mean the colour sequence is identical on both. When portions "match," they share the same position and colour. Given three matching pairs (P1-Q3, P4 with Q1/Q2, Q4 with P3/P5), the rods must be perfectly aligned in the same direction.
We need to check if both statements are possible under the constraint that Q3 and Q5 are adjacent. Testing an arrangement: Position 1: P2-Q2; Position 2: P3-Q4; Position 3: P1-Q3; Position 4: P5-Q5; Position 5: P4-Q1. This satisfies all conditions: P1 matches Q3 (Pos 3), P4 matches Q1 (Pos 5), Q4 matches P3 (Pos 2), and Q3-Q5 are adjacent (Pos 3-4).
Therefore, Q3 is at the middle (Statement I possible) and P2 is at an extreme (Statement II possible), making Option 3 the correct answer.
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