Seven boxes A, B, C, D, E, F and G are kept one over the other but not necessarily in the same order. A is kept second from the b…

Question

Seven boxes A, B, C, D, E, F and G are kept one over the other but not necessarily in the same order. A is kept second from the bottom. Only three boxes are kept between A and G. E is kept at one of the positions below A. Only D is kept between G and F. C is kept at one of the positions above G. How many boxes are kept between B and E?

1. A. 1 (Correct answer)
2. B. 2
3. C. 4
4. D. 3

Correct Answer

Option A — 1

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is 1.

Key Points

• Number the positions 1 at the bottom to 7 at the top.
  • *A is second from the bottom* → A at 2.
  • *Only three boxes between A and G* → G at 6.
  • *E is below A* → the only position left below A is E at 1.
  • *Only D is between G and F* → with G at 6, F at 4 and D at 5.
  • *C is above G* → C at 7.
  • The single remaining position, 3, takes B.
• Final stack from bottom: E, A, B, F, D, G, C.
• Between B (3) and E (1) sits only A (2) — so 1 box.

Additional Information

• Convert every clue to an absolute position as soon as possible. "Only three boxes between A and G" fixes G exactly once A is known, because three boxes between positions 2 and 6 means $6 = 2 + 3 + 1$.
• The phrase "only three boxes between" means exactly three, not at least three — that precision is what makes the position unique.
• "Only D is between G and F" similarly forces a single gap, placing F two below G rather than anywhere below it.
• Fill in every box before answering. Here the final position of B is determined by elimination, and it is B that the question turns on.