Are all four friends — Abhay, Kavita, Prashant, and Yasir — who are sitting around a circular table, facing the centre? I. Kavita sits second to the left of Abhay. Abhay faces the centre. Yasir sits immediately to the right of both Abhay and Kavita.

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Solve this multiple-choice question and choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context:We must determine whether all four people at a round table face the centre. Data Sufficiency asks whether the facing-direction conclusion follows from the statements, not to draw the full diagram unless necessary. Given Data / Assumptions: I: Kavita is second to the left of Abhay; Abhay faces the centre; Yasir is immediately to the right of Abhay and also immediately to the right of Kavita. II: Prashant is third to the right of Kavita; Abhay is immediately to the right of both Prashant and Yasir (but no facing info is given). Concept / Approach:In a circular arrangement, ‘‘left’’ and ‘‘right’’ depend on facing direction. If at least one person’s facing is known (and relative left/right relations are given), we can propagate constraints to test whether everyone must face the centre. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Using I alone: Abhay faces the centre. When someone faces the centre, the person to his immediate right is clockwise. Given ‘‘Kavita second to Abhay’s left’’ and ‘‘Yasir immediately to Abhay’s right’’ plus ‘‘Yasir immediately to Kavita’s right’’, the only way to satisfy both immediate-right relations consistently is when all are facing the centre (the ‘‘left’’/‘‘right’’ senses align consistently around the table). Any attempt to flip others outward breaks at least one given right/left statement. Thus I alone forces the facing-in configuration for all four.2) Using II alone: There is no explicit facing information. The right/left relations could be satisfied under more than one collective facing scenario (e.g., some facing centre, others outward) by suitably rotating/mirroring positions. Therefore II alone is insufficient. Verification / Alternative check:Construct a layout from I: Place Abhay, face-in; place Yasir to Abhay’s immediate right (clockwise). Now place Kavita two seats to Abhay’s left and verify that Yasir is also immediately to Kavita’s right—this holds only under the inward-facing convention for all. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B: II lacks any facing anchor; multiple facing patterns are possible. C: II alone is not sufficient; hence “either alone” is false. D/E: We already have sufficiency from I alone; no need to combine. Common Pitfalls:Confusing left/right conventions when some people might face outward; assuming symmetry implies unique facing without an anchor person. Final Answer:Statement I alone is sufficient; Statement II alone is not.

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