Six people sit in a circle facing inward. A faces B (opposite). B is to the right of E and to the left of C; C is to the left of D; F is to the right of A. Then D swaps seats with F and E swaps with B. Who sits to the left of D after the swaps?

Introduction / Context:
Circular seating with inward-facing people inverts left/right relative to linear seating. We must first construct a valid initial circle, then perform two swaps and finally report who is to the left (clockwise neighbor) of D.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A faces B ⇒ they are opposite (three seats apart in a 6-seat circle).
• B to the right of E (immediate counterclockwise neighbor) and to the left of C (immediate clockwise neighbor) ⇒ (clockwise) C, B, E are consecutive.
• C to the left of D ⇒ C is the clockwise neighbor of D ⇒ (clockwise) D, C.
• F to the right of A ⇒ F is the counterclockwise neighbor of A.

Concept / Approach:
Use inward-facing convention: immediate right = counterclockwise neighbor; immediate left = clockwise neighbor. Build one consistent clockwise order, then execute swaps.

Step-by-Step Solution:
A valid initial clockwise order is: D, C, B, E, F, A.Check: A opposite B (A at index 5, B at index 2) — yes; B right of E and left of C — yes; C left of D — yes; F right of A — yes.Swap D with F ⇒ F, C, B, E, D, A.Swap E with B ⇒ F, C, E, B, D, A.Left of D means D’s clockwise neighbor: that is A.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rotations/reflections of the same structure yield the same final “left of D”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They correspond to other neighbors pre-swap or misinterpret left/right for inward-facing circles.

Common Pitfalls:
Applying classroom left/right instead of inward-facing convention.

Final Answer:
A