Identify the lowest scorer from pairwise comparisons: Priti scored more than Rahul. Yamuna scored as much as Divya. Lokita scored less than Manju. Rahul scored more than Yamuna. Manju scored less than Divya. Who scored the lowest?

Introduction / Context:Score-ordering problems use inequality chains and equalities to derive a total order or at least extremes. Here we must find the minimum scorer using consistent pairwise relations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Priti > Rahul.
• Yamuna = Divya.
• Lokita < Manju.
• Rahul > Yamuna.
• Manju < Divya.

Concept / Approach:Start from the equality Yamuna = Divya, then use Rahul > Yamuna to place Rahul above both. Since Manju < Divya (and Divya = Yamuna), Manju is below that equal pair; and Lokita < Manju places Lokita at the bottom. Priti > Rahul puts Priti at or near the top but does not affect the minimum.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:Construct a numeric example: Let Divya = Yamuna = 80; Rahul = 85; Priti = 90; Manju = 78; Lokita = 70. All statements hold and Lokita is clearly the lowest.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Manju: Above Lokita.
• Yamuna/Divya: Equal to each other and above Manju, hence above Lokita.
• Rahul: Above the equal pair and thus far from the bottom.

Common Pitfalls:Overlooking the equality (Yamuna = Divya) and misplacing Manju relative to them, which would flip the minimum incorrectly.

Final Answer:Lokita