How to solve SBI PO level reasoning and logic analysis problems on floors in a few confident steps 4

SBI PO level Reasoning floor stay problems can also be solved quickly by collapsed column technique

We have discussed logic analysis in our earlier sessions on Simple logic analysis , Complex logic analysis and efficient method of collapsed column logic analysis technique for solving SBI PO or higher level logic puzzles in our previous sessions on How to solve SBI PO level logic puzzles in a few simple steps 1 , How to solve SBI PO level logic puzzles in a few simple steps 2, and How to solve SBI PO level family relation problems in a few simple steps 3.

In this session we will further expand the scope of the powerful method through solving a SBI PO level Reasoning problem on Floor stay arrangement with characteristic ease.

Before going through this session, you are urged to go through the above-mentioned first, second and third session on efficient solution process for logic puzzles.

The following section repeats the basic theory behind the Collapsed column technique in solving Assignment logic analysis problems. If you are already aware of the background concepts, you may skip this section.

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Assignment logic analysis using Collapsed column logic analysis technique can be applied to a number of Reasoning problem types

In Assignment logic analysis problems, a set of objects are to be assigned (or mapped) to a second set of objects. The specific assignments are determined by a set of logic statements or conditions.

The objects that are to be assigned belong to the to-be-assigned object set (TBA object set) and the objects to which the to-be-assigned objects are to be assigned belong to the to-be-assigned-to object set (or TBAT object set). In case of one-to-one unique assignment between two object sets, any of the two object sets are interchangeable with the other with respect to assignment as an assignment between two objects is a mutual two directional operation.

In the simplest form of assignment logic analysis problem, one set of objects are to be assigned to a second set of objects according to a third set of given conditions. The conventional method to solve this form of problems is to represent the values of the two object sets, one as rows and the second as columns. This representation is the simplest form of 2 dimensional logic table.

The cell values represent assignment between the members of the two sets. For example one set may be husbands and the second wives; problem will be to determine who is married to whom according to a set of conditions. The names of husbands may form row labels and names of wives column labels. Cross section of a row and column will represent marital status of the pair involved.

Commonly we encounter logic analysis problems of assignment type in logic puzzles which occasionally seem to be quite confusing. We have already used the efficient technique of collapsed logic table columns in solving logic puzzles and family relation problems in our earlier sessions.

In this session, we will apply the same technique with a minor adaptation to solve a different category of Reasoning problems, namely Reasoning Floor stay arrangement problems. In future sessions we will show how the same method can be applied for efficient solution of Sitting arrangement type of Reasoning problems as well.

Use of same concept and similar method in solving varieties of Reasoning problems eases the overall problem of solving a large portion of difficult reasoning problems considerably.

The subcategory of Floor stay arrangement problems essentially fall under the general category of Assignment logic analysis problems. In floor stay puzzles, a set of persons stay in a set of floors and the persons may have one or more than one set of characteristics, such as, profession, age, liking of food, and so on.

Usually all the sets have same number of members so that the assignments are of one to one type.

With increase in number of members in each set (such as more number of floors and more number of persons) or increase in numbers of sets itself, the complexity of the problems of this type increases. Occasionally though we encounter more complex problems where complexity lie in one to many relationship between the member sets.

The assignments are to be determined for all such problems by a given set of statements or logic conditions.

The following section explains the theory behind the Stages in solving Reasoning logic analysis problems of assignment type.

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Stages in solving Reasoning logic analysis problems

Problem structure analysis and representation

One of the most important stages in solving reasoning logic analysis problems of any type is the first stage of Problem structure analysis and representation. Unless such a problem is represented in appropriate efficient form, attempt to solve the problem in any which way most possibly ends up in confusion.

For example, in our earlier logic puzzle solution we have identified its nature as an assignment type logic puzzle problem and used the final collapsed column logic table of the form,

This forms an example of one to many type of logic assignment.

For floor stay arrangement problems, the the logic table representation will take a different form.

Sequence of logic statement execution - Strategy

In the second stage, we Analyse logic statements in conjunction with the problem state to determine the sequence of executing or processing the logic statements.

Any logic problem will have a prime component in the form of a set of logic or condition statements. In second stage we determine the efficient sequence of executing the conditional statements. On an appropriate problem representation if we can apply an efficient sequence of execution of logic conditions, the problem is solved much faster.

Individual logic statement analysis

In the third repetitive stage we actually carry out analysis and execution of one or more than one logic statement at each step. This is the last level and forms the core of elementary logic analysis. With proper execution of the individual logic statements coupled with proper sequencing or selection of logic statements for execution, the problem logic table can be simplified greatly at a single step.

Importance of domain knowledge at the third stage of individual logic analysis

At this third stage, the clarity in domain knowledge plays a critical role. For example, in the process of solving a reasoning problem on family relations, you must be very clear about the commonly accepted form of relations between various members of a common family.

On the other hand, for a floor stay arrangement problem, you need to be clear about the meaning of relations "floor above" or "floor below", and be able to differentiate between the relations, "one floor above" and "floor above". The second statement may refer to a floor above the floor referred to by any number of floors, whereas in the first instance, target floor is just above the the floor referred to. These concepts belong to the domain of floor stay arrangement. Without clear understanding of the meaning or concepts of the statements referring to this domain, solving a complex floor stay arrangement problem may not be easy.

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Collapsed column technique adapted to Floor stay arrangement logic problems

Nature of problem

In a Reasoning Floor stay arrangement problem, a group of people stay in a multi-storied house, usually one person in each floor and no floor vacant, which is a one to one relationship between the set of Persons and the set of Floors. A set of condition statements determine who stays in which floor. This is the simplest form of problem of this type.

The first problem we will solve is of this level, and we will use the solution to demonstrate the process of solution in fine detail.

A second level of complexity is introduced often by an additional parameter or characteristic of the persons. This may be a set of professions, a set of hobbies or a set of anything personal. Accordingly, the representation of the logic table, the analytical process and the number of condition statements will also increase.

You may refer to such a solved problem of this higher complexity level in our session on SBI PO level difficult floor stay reasoning puzzle solved in a few steps 1.

Representation of logic table for Reasoning Floor stay problem

Whatever be the complexity level of a Reasoning Floor stay problem, the corresponding collapsed column logic table will have the Floors as the rows, with lowest numbered floor as the bottom row and the highest numbered floor as the top row, other floors in increasing numbers forming the intervening rows sequentially increasing in number from bottom to top. This is an exact replication of the system of floors in a real life multi-storied building. This is the most important characteristic of the logic table representation for this type of problem.

This form of logic table representation is essential for dealing with condition statement like, "Person A stays in a floor just below the floor the person B stays in".

The analysis of the condition statements will be based on the domain knowledge which is common knowledge on floor system of a multi-storied building and so this part is not elaborated further. We will get the feel of the nature of such condition statements and the analysis through the solution process of the following example problem on the topic.

Problem example 1: Reasoning Floor stay arrangement problem 1: Who stays in which floor?

Problem description

A building has eight floors numbered one to eight, in such a manner that the ground floor is numbered one, the floor above it, numbered two and so on such that the topmost floor is numbered eight. One of the eight persons, namely, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H lives on each floor.

Conditional statements

1. E lives above F.
2. Only two persons live between the floors of C and G.
3. H lives on the floor immediately above the floor of B.
4. Only one person lives between the floors of E and F.
5. C lives on third numbered floor.
6. Only one person lives between the floors of C and D.
7. D lives on a floor below the floor of E.

Questions

Question 1. Who among the following lives on the topmost floor?

1. C
2. B
3. H
4. G
5. E

Question 2. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way and hence they form a group. Which one of the following does not belong to that group?

1. G
2. C
3. A
4. D
5. B

Question 3. Who among the following lives on the fifth numbered floor?

1. A
2. D
3. B
4. H
5. G

Question 4. How many persons live between the floors of B and F?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 4
4. 5
5. 3

Question 5. Who among the following lives exactly between the floors of C and D?

1. E
2. F
3. A
4. G
5. H

Problem example 1: Solution to the floor stay reasoning problem 1: Problem analysis and representation

There are only two sets of objects, the 8 Floors, and the 8 Persons staying on each floor. Inherently the problem should be simple.

Let us look at the representation first.

In floor stay problems, the logic table representation is very specific. The floors must represent actual physical floors with floor number increasing from bottom to top. As there are 8 floors there will be then 8 row labels with bottom-most row labelled as 1 which represents the floor numbered 1. The topmost floor will be numbered 8 and it will be represented by the topmost row label 8.

As object sets are only two in number, the collapsed column will only be 1. The column header label will be, "Person". A cell under the single header column and against a specific numbered row will contain the name of the person staying on this floor number.

Till this point the structure is simple—it is an eight row single column collapsed logic table.

But a floor arrangement problem may hide its complexity in the staying statements that determine who stays in which floor.

Quite often while analyzing a specific statement or a group of statements at one stage, you may not be able to specify a person against a floor with certainty. Instead, you may have to specify only two or more possible combinations of staying arrangements of persons. Unless you record such a possibility, you won't be able to resolve such an uncertainty by a later statement thereby reaching the final goal much faster.

For any efficient solution of this type of problem, forming, recording and later resolution of possible combinations are essential activities. This falls under the general skill category of Pattern Identification and Use. Sudoku game play is rich with this type of pattern identification challenges.

This gives rise to the need of, what we call intermediate possibility recording. The first column will hold the certain and final assignments and depending upon the complexity of the problem, we will add 1 or more than 1 number of additional Possibility columns to record these interim possible staying combinations.

For our problem we will use two such additional Possibility columns which should be enough for solving this problem we feel. In any case, if we need we can increase the number of Possibility columns any time while solving the problem.

Thus, the starting logic table will be as below. We will write the list of names of persons at the top of the table and will go on striking off the name labels as they are assigned to a floor with certainty.

This basically is the logic table representation that we will use for solving this floor problem. As explained earlier, the eight floors are specified by eight row labels against each of which the person staying in the floor will be marked in the first column, when such an assignment we can make with certainty. Otherwise we will record possible assignment combinations in column Possibility 1 and Possibility 2.

Let us now solve the problem by analyzing and processing the logic statements. As usual our objective will be to make full assignment and fill up the Final column exhaustively taking minimum number of steps. Speed of puzzle solving is vitally important.

Solution Strategy 1 - Step 1: Direct and certain assignment first strategy

We will first execute those conditional statements that directly assign a person to a specific floor. In this problem, there is only one such Statement 5: "C lives on third numbered floor." So we will directly assign C against floor 3 and go over to next step. This is our starting point for solving the puzzle by filling up the empty logic table step by step. With the direct floor assignment in this first step, the logic table would have at least a little information on which the later statements would be analyzed.

After processing the Statement 5, the logic table looks like,

Solution Strategy 2 - Step 2: Indirect certain assignment strategy by executing statements that refer to a certainly assigned member in the table

The specialty of this problem is, at this early stage of step 2, we are confronted with a difficulty - which statement to process! This is the hallmark of a good logic analysis problem even in a two object set assignment problem.

The key to find the next statement lies in strategy 2 of analyzing the statements that refer to the certainly assigned C, as well as helps in another certain assignment. By a quick scan through (this is where your agile logic analysis skill will come into play) the remaining statements, we find that Statement 2: "Only two persons live between the floors of C and G." is the only such statement.

It refers to C and G in such a way that G must be assigned to three floors above C, that is, on Floor 6.

G cannot be assigned three floors below C as C is on Floor 3. There is no zero numbered floor here. This is a typical example of how individual floor assignments are resolved based on the special characteristics of the floor system.

Observe that we have ignored the "Statement 6. Only one person lives between the floors of C and D", because we couldn't have assigned D to a floor with certainty by executing this statement.

The logic table now looks like,

Solution Strategy 3 - Step 3: Creation of Possible assignments by the use of bonded person-floor structure of maximum potential

At this stage there is no other avenue open than to analyze a few statements together. Basically this is the third strategy at this juncture.

The objective will be to form a combination of two or more persons living at corresponding number of floors, separated by a certain number of floors, and preferably specified by who lives above or below whom.

This is called a bonded structure.

We won't be able to assign the persons involved in the bond against specific floors, but after analyzing against the present logic table, we should able to specify two or more possible floor assignments to the bonded person-floor structure. We will record each floor assignment combination of the bonded structure against a fresh possibility column.

Combinations of each of these possibilities will have to taken together with the already certain assignments to form a complete possible state.

Let us explain this rather theoretical logic exercise with actual logic statement execution.

Statement 1: "E lives above F." and Statement 4: "Only one person lives between the floors of E and F." are the first two candidates to form such a bonded person-floor component where E lives above F with exactly one floor between them. It creates a three floor (element) bond.

Testing the placement of three element bond of E and F (three floors and two persons E and F, with one floor between them) against fixed assigned C at floor 3 and G at floor 6, we find easily that the possibilities are limited to only two, Possibility 1: E on floor 7 and F on floor 5; and Possibility 2: E on floor 4 and F on floor 2. There is no other possible combination.

We record these two possibilities in two separate additional possibility columns. Each E-F combination of a possibility has to be read with the already assigned Final column combination. So, Possibility 1 will read as,

Possibility 1: C on floor 3, F in floor 5, G in floor 6 and E in floor 7.

Similarly Possibility 2 is to be read as,

Possibility 2: F in floor 2, C on floor 3, E on floor 4 and G on floor 6.

You need to carefully verify this step yourself.

The logic table state is shown below with two possibility columns used.

Solution Strategy 4 - Step 4: Searching for indirect certain assignment by selecting statement that refers to existing assigned value

For quickest solution we would try to achieve a certain assignment by processing one or more than one out of the three statements left. In fact, at any stage of the logic puzzle solving, this will be the first priority. Let us state this principle for driving home the important point,

At any stage of logic puzzle solving, highest priority action will be to achieve one or more than one certain assignments by processing suitable selected statements.

With this goal in mind, we explore the possibilities of processing Statement 6. "Only one person lives between the floors of C and D". This specific statement is selected as it refers to already assigned C and also refers to D situated at a fixed number of floors away from C. These two points together makes this a statement with high promise of creating a certain assignment. The promise increases as we identify Statement 7. "D lives on a floor below the floor of E", that further restricts the floor position of D. So we explore quickly the effect of processing these two high promise statements together.

By Statement 6, D can live on either floor 1 or floor 5. In the logic structure of Possibility 1, floor 5 is already occupied, and so D can be assigned only floor 1. For the logic structure of Possibility 2, though floor 5 is free, by Statement 7, it is not an acceptable floor for D (above E). In this case also the only floor available for D is floor 1. This means a certain assignment of floor 1 for D.

This is the crucial breakthrough in solving the problem quickly.

The effect of processing Statement 6 and Statement 7 together is shown in the step 4 logic table as below. Cell of D is colored green to indicate that this represents the crucial certain assignment at this step.

At the last step, we will process the only remaining Statement 3. "H lives on the floor immediately above the floor of B." This also is a high promise statement as it creates an adjacent floor two-member bonded structure with fixed relative positions of the two members H and B (H just above B).

When you try to position this fixed two-member bonded structure of B-H on the Final column of logic table structures, you find the only feasible positions to be floors 4-5 and floors 7-8. But, for both Possibility columns taken together, one of the floors 4 or 5 is occupied, and so B-H can have only the floor 7 and 8.

We have come to the final stage.

With Possibility 1 having floor 7 occupied, it becomes the invalid possibility. At one stroke all the pieces of the puzzle fall into right places.

B-H occupy floors 7-8, E and F occupy floors 4 and 2 as in Possibility 2 and the last vacant floor 5 goes to the last member A.

The final logic table is shown below.

Floors 7 and 8 are colored green to indicate these cells provided the first certain assignment at this stage. Cells 4 and 2 are colored yellow to indicate the next assignments, with the last cell of floor 5 assigned as the last leftout cell.

B-H vertical bonded structure is shown on the right of the logic table. This is the temporary work area where you have to note such intermediate important information during exam hall puzzle solving.

You may try to solve this problem still faster by selecting a different statement processing sequence.

Remember that, in logic puzzle solving there can be multiple ways to arrive at the solution, but one of the possible solutions would be quickest of all and that you have to follow in exam hall.

Now we are ready to answer the questions and it should take only about a minute's time to answer the five questions.

Answers

Question 1. Who among the following lives on the topmost floor?

Answer 1. Option 3: H.

Question 2. Four of the following five are alike in a certain way and hence they form a group. Which one of the following does not belong to that group?

Analysis: As among choice values G, C, A, D, B, all the four of C, A, D, B live on odd numbered floors they form a group with only G living on an even numbered floor 6. So G does not belong to this group. Take special care in answering this type of question.

Answer 2. Option 1: G.

Question 3. Who among the following lives on the fifth numbered floor?

Answer 3. Option 1: A.

Question 4. How many persons live between the floors of B and F?

Answer 4. Option 3: 4.

Question 5. Who among the following lives exactly between the floors of C and D?

Answer 5. Option 2: F.

Note: In solving the problem in actual test, the table used will only be one. For explanation we have shown the interim stages as separate tables.

Recommendation

The collapsed column logic analysis technique is a structured, systematic, clear, and efficient framework for analyzing logic puzzles, family relation problems, floor stay problems and other types of logic analysis problems of any complexity with ease, speed and confidence without creating confusion. But one must be thoroughly conversant with variations of this class of problems by solving the puzzles, family relation or other types of problems using this efficient method. Without solving a sufficient number of such logic assignment problems during timed practice sessions one may not gain enough confidence and ability to solve a tricky logic puzzle or logic analysis question in an important competitive test.

Important note: The floor stay problem we have solved in this session is comparatively a simple problem. In actual SBI PO test, complexity may be increased by introducing at least one additional characteristic of the persons. But the same process with suitable adaptation can easily deal with such complexities. We will see in a later session how such a problem can be systematically dealt with.

End note

Solving reasoning puzzles does not need knowledge on any subject—it is just identifying useful patterns by analysis of the problem and using appropriate methods. It improves problem solving skill, because patterns and methods lie at the heart of any problem solving.

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Other resources for learning how to discover useful patterns and solve logic analysis problems

Einstein's puzzle or Einstein's riddle

The puzzle popularly known as Einstein's puzzle or Einstein's riddle is a six object set assignment logic analysis problem. Going through the problem and its efficient solution using collapsed column logic analysis technique in the session Method based solution of Einstein's logic analysis puzzle whose fish should be a good learning experience.

Playing Sudoku

As a powerful method of enhancing useful pattern identification and logic analysis skill, play Sudoku in a controlled manner. But beware, this great learning game, popularly called Rubik's Cube of 21st Century, is addictive.

To learn how to play Sudoku, you may refer to our Sudoku pages starting from the very beginning and proceeding to hard level games.

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Reading list on SBI PO and Other Bank PO level Reasoning puzzles

Tutorials

How to solve SBI PO level logic puzzles in a few simple steps 1

How to solve SBI PO level logic puzzles in a few simple steps 2

How to solve SBI PO level family relation problems in a few simple steps 3

How to solve SBI PO level floor stay Reasoning Puzzle in a few confident steps 4

How to solve high level circular seating reasoning puzzles for SBI PO in confident steps 5

How to solve high level hard two row seating reasoning puzzles for SBI PO in confident steps 6

How to solve high level circular seating arrangement reasoning puzzles for SBI PO quickly 7

How to solve high level nine position circular seating easoning puzzles for SBI PO quickly 8

How to solve high level box positioning reasoning puzzle for SBI PO quickly 9

Solved reasoning puzzles SBI PO type

SBI PO type high level floor stay reasoning puzzle solved in a few confident steps 1

SBI PO type high level reasoning puzzle solved in a few confident steps 2

SBI PO type high level reasoning puzzle solved in a few confident steps 3

SBI PO type high level circular seating reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 4

SBI PO type high level hard reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 5

SBI PO type high level one to many valued group based reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 6

SBI PO type high level hard two in one circular seating reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 7

SBI PO type hard facing away circular seating reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 8

SBI PO type high level four dimensional reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 9

SBI PO type hard two row seating reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 10

SBI PO type high level floor stay reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 11

Solved reasoning puzzles Bank PO type

Bank PO type two row hybrid reasoning puzzle solved in confident steps 1

Bank PO type four variable basic assignment reasoning puzzle solved in a few steps 2

Bank PO type basic floor based reasoning puzzle solved in a few steps 3

Bank PO type high level floor stay reasoning puzzle solved in quick steps 4

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