Shortest among five cricketers: Dhoni is taller than Virat but shorter than Raina. Rohit is shorter than Dhoni but taller than Shikhar. Who is the shortest?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Cannot be determined

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Height-order questions often yield a full chain, but sometimes the data underdetermine the extremes. Here we must decide the shortest person using two mini-chains that do not fully connect all five individuals.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Raina > Dhoni > Virat.
  • Dhoni > Rohit > Shikhar.
  • No direct comparison between Virat and Shikhar.




Concept / Approach:
Combine the chains where possible: Raina is above Dhoni; Dhoni is above both Virat and Rohit; Rohit is above Shikhar. We know Shikhar is below Rohit, and Virat is below Dhoni, but we lack Virat vs. Shikhar relation.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Chain 1: Raina > Dhoni > Virat.Chain 2: Dhoni > Rohit > Shikhar.Merge around Dhoni: Raina > Dhoni > (Virat and Rohit ...), with Rohit > Shikhar. But Virat vs. Shikhar is unknown.Hence the shortest could be Shikhar (if Shikhar < Virat) or Virat (if Virat < Shikhar). Both orders fit the clues.




Verification / Alternative check:
Construct two consistent examples: (a) Make Virat 170 cm and Shikhar 168 cm ⇒ Shikhar shortest; (b) Make Virat 165 cm and Shikhar 168 cm ⇒ Virat shortest. All constraints remain satisfied in both scenarios.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Picking Dhoni/Rohit as shortest contradicts given “>” relations.
  • Picking Virat or Shikhar alone claims certainty we don’t have.




Common Pitfalls:
Forcing a total order when the data allow multiple valid arrangements. Always check if a missing comparison exists.



Final Answer:
Cannot be determined

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