RAS question
Among five friends P, Q, R, S, T: P is taller than Q but shorter than R. S is the tallest. T is taller than R but shorter than S. Who is the second tallest?
Correct answer: (A) T.
Among P, Q, R, S and T, T is the second tallest.
Explanation
The statements form a single chain of comparisons. P is taller than Q but shorter than R, so Q < P < R. T is taller than R but shorter than S, and S is already given as the tallest, so the chain extends to Q < P < R < T < S. This uses the transitive property of inequality: when one comparison links to the next, the relative order can be carried through the chain. Reading the order from tallest to shortest gives S > T > R > P > Q. Therefore, the person immediately below S, and hence second tallest, is T.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) R is shorter than T, so R cannot be second when S and T both stand above R.
- (C) P is shorter than R, and R is below T and S, so P is fourth in the descending order, not second.
- (D) Q is shorter than P, placing Q at the bottom of the chain rather than near the top.
Concept
This tests ordering and ranking through the transitive property of inequality: linked comparisons must be merged into one sequence. It recurs in RAS reasoning because the same chain-building skill appears in height, rank and sequence questions.