In a row of swimmers, Manish is 23rd from the left end. Ramesh stands 11 ranks to the left of Manish. If Ramesh is 16th from the right end, how many swimmers are there in the row in total?

Introduction / Context:
This arithmetic reasoning question involves positions in a row and the relationship between left and right rankings. You are given the positions of two swimmers, Manish and Ramesh, from different ends and relative to each other. The objective is to find the total number of swimmers in the row. Such problems are standard in aptitude tests and rely on the formula connecting left rank, right rank and total number of people.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Manish is 23rd from the left end of the row. - Ramesh is 11 ranks to the left of Manish. - Ramesh is 16th from the right end. - All swimmers stand in a single straight row with no gaps. - We must determine the total number of swimmers in the row.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the relationship: position from left + position from right - 1 = total number of people in the row. First, we use the information about relative positions to find Ramesh's position from the left. Then we use the formula with his left and right positions to compute the total number. Careful interpretation of the phrase 11 ranks to the left is important to avoid adding instead of subtracting.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Manish is 23rd from the left. That means his position from the left end is 23. Step 2: Ramesh is 11 ranks to the left of Manish. Therefore, Ramesh's position from the left is 23 - 11 = 12. Step 3: We are given that Ramesh is 16th from the right end. So his position from the right is 16. Step 4: Apply the standard formula: total number of swimmers = position from left + position from right - 1. Step 5: Substitute values: total = 12 + 16 - 1. Step 6: Compute 12 + 16 = 28, then subtract 1 to get total = 27.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, imagine numbering positions from 1 to 27 from the left. Ramesh is at position 12 from the left. From the right, his position would be 27 - 12 + 1 = 16, which matches the given information. Manish is 11 positions to the right of Ramesh, so his position from the left is 12 + 11 = 23, matching the original statement. Since all conditions are satisfied with a total of 27 swimmers, the answer is consistent and correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- If there were 28 swimmers, Ramesh at 12th from the left would be 17th from the right, not 16th. - If there were 29 or 30 swimmers, Ramesh's right rank would be even larger, again incorrect. - A total of 26 swimmers would make his left and right positions inconsistent with the formula. Only 27 swimmers satisfy the relationship between the left and right positions given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often misinterpret 11 ranks to the left and incorrectly add instead of subtracting. Another common mistake is to forget to subtract 1 in the formula and instead use left rank plus right rank directly. It is also easy to mix up whose positions are being used, especially in multi person questions. Always write down the formula clearly and plug in values carefully to avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
The total number of swimmers standing in the row is 27.