Question

Five friends (A, B, C, D, and E) are sitting in a row. C is to the immediate right of A. D is at one end and B is between D and E. Who is in the middle?

• A. A
• B. B
• C. C
• D. E

Hint:

• Break down the problem into small pieces of information.
• Use placeholders for positions in the row.
• Consider different cases based on conditions like "D is at one end".
• Combine fixed units (like "A C" together) with other conditions.
• Check consistency of arrangements. The middle person in a row of 5 is the 3rd person.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

There are five friends sitting in a row. Let's represent the positions as ____. 
Information given:

• C is to the immediate right of A. This means the pair A C must sit together in that order: (A C).
• D is at one end. So, D can be at the leftmost position or the rightmost position.
• B is between D and E. This means the sequence is D B E or E B D.

Let's combine these pieces of information: 
Case 1: D is at the leftmost end.
D ____ 
Since B is between D and E, the sequence must start D B E: 
D B E ____
The remaining two positions must be filled by the pair (A C).
So, the arrangement is: D B E A C. 
Let's check if this is consistent with condition 1 (A C together): Yes.

Positions:

• 1: D
• 2: B
• 3: E
• 4: A
• 5: C

In this arrangement, the person in the middle (3rd position) is E. 
Case 2: D is at the rightmost end.
____D 
Since B is between D and E, the sequence must end E B D (reading from left to right):
__ ___E B D 
The remaining two positions must be filled by the pair (A C).
So, the arrangement is: A C E B D. Positions:

• 1: A
• 2: C
• 3: E
• 4: B
• 5: D

In this arrangement, the person in the middle (3rd position) is E. In both valid arrangements, E is in the middle. 
\[ \boxed{\text{E}} \]