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Box / Stack Puzzle

AFCAT · Logical Reasoning

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Core Concept

Read this first — the foundation of the topic

🔑Core Rules

Only one item can occupy each position. Items are numbered from bottom to top or top to bottom. Conditions link items using words like 'above', 'below', 'immediately above', 'between', 'top', 'bottom'

💡Key Properties

'Immediately above' means direct contact with no gap. 'Above' means anywhere higher, with possible gaps. 'Between' means exactly one item separates two others. 'Second from top' means one item above it.

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Exam Patterns

What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC asks 3-5 questions per puzzle. Common formats include 7-floor buildings, 8-box stacks, or 5-item arrangements. Questions test position identification, relative placement, and counting gaps between items.

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Shortcuts

Use these to save 30–60 seconds per question

Use the 'Fixed Point Method'. Find items with maximum constraints first. Items mentioned as 'top', 'bottom', or with multiple conditions become anchor points.

Build the arrangement around these fixed positions.

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Worked Example

Solve this step-by-step before moving on

1

Step 1

Fix definite positions. C is at position 7 (top). A is at position 6 (immediately below C). D is at position 1 (bottom).

2

Step 2

Analyze 'between' condition. B is between E and F means E-B-F or F-B-E arrangement.

3

Step 3

Use remaining condition. G is above E but below F. This gives us F-G-E sequence when read from top to bottom.

4

Step 4

Combine sequences. From F-G-E and E-B-F, we get F-G-E-B-F. But F cannot repeat, so we arrange as F-G-E-B with F above this group.

5

Step 5

Final arrangement from bottom to top: D(1), E(2), B(3), G(4), F(5), A(6), C(7). Verification: C at top ✓, A immediately below C ✓, D at bottom ✓, B between E and F ✓, G above E but below F ✓. Second Shortcut: Draw a rough vertical line and mark positions 1-7. Fill known positions first, then work with remaining conditions. Common Mistake: Students confuse 'above' with 'immediately above'. 'Above' allows gaps, 'immediately above' means direct contact. Also, misreading 'between' conditions leads to wrong sequences. Always verify final arrangement against all given conditions.

🔑 Key Points

Box puzzles arrange items vertically with one item per position
'Immediately above' means direct contact, 'above' allows gaps between items
'Between' means exactly one item separates two others in the stack
Use Fixed Point Method - identify items with maximum constraints first
Number positions from 1 (bottom) to n (top) or vice versa consistently
Draw vertical arrangements to visualize relationships clearly
Always verify final arrangement against every given condition
Common question types: position finding, gap counting, relative placement

📌 Exam Facts

Box puzzles typically involve 5-8 items arranged vertically
SSC asks 3-5 questions per box arrangement puzzle
'Second from bottom' means position 2 when counting from bottom
'Third from top' means position 3 when counting from top
Maximum gap between two items in 7-box puzzle is 5 positions
Minimum items needed for 'between' relationship is 3 items
'Immediately below' means direct contact from lower position
Box puzzles appear in 80% of SSC CGL Tier-1 question papers

🚀 60-Second Revision

Remember: Fix definite positions (top/bottom/immediately) first
Formula: Total positions minus 1 equals maximum possible gaps
Trap: 'Above' and 'immediately above' have different meanings
Method: Use vertical line diagram for clear visualization
Check: Verify final answer against all given conditions
Shortcut: Items with most constraints become anchor points
Pattern: Between A and B means A-X-B or B-X-A arrangement

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