UPSC Prelims 2004 Q98: Science & Technology – Logical Reasoning & Puzzles
- (a) Aryan Publishers
- (b) Bharat Publishers
- (c) Charan Publishers
- (d) Dev Publishers
Answer: (c) Charan Publishers
Explanation
Logic puzzle: the science magazine's publisher
| Clue | Deduction |
|---|---|
| Politics | Published by Aryan (ii); not Swami's films, not Ila's science, not Feroz (Dev), so edited by Gurbaksh |
| Sports | Edited by Feroz, published by Dev (i) |
| Films | Edited by Swami; not Charan, Aryan or Dev, so published by Bharat |
| Science | Edited by Ila, so published by Charan |
Four magazines on politics, sports, science and films are edited by Feroz, Gurbaksh, Swami and Ila and published by Aryan, Bharat, Charan and Dev Publishers (not necessarily in that order), with these clues: (i) Dev Publishers published the magazine edited by Feroz; (ii) the politics magazine is published by Aryan; (iii) the films magazine is edited by Swami and is not published by Charan; (iv) the science magazine is edited by Ila. Working through the clues, the science magazine, edited by Ila, is published by Charan Publishers.
Answer: (c) Charan Publishers.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Aryan publishes the politics magazine.
- (b) Incorrect. Bharat publishes the films magazine.
- (c) CORRECT. Charan publishes the science magazine.
- (d) Incorrect. Dev publishes the sports magazine.
Key point
Fix the unique clues first, then eliminate publishers one by one.
Remember
The science magazine is published by Charan Publishers.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring that Dev is tied to Feroz's magazine.
- Leaving Aryan open for the science magazine.
- Not tabulating editors against subjects.
Exam tip
Build a table of subject, editor and publisher and strike out.
Sources
- R. S. Aggarwal — A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (Puzzle Test)
- Arun Sharma — How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for the CAT (arrangement and matching puzzles)