Question

4 Pilots L, M, N, O flew in F-16, F-22, F-35, SU-57. They finished on rank 1 to 4.
Following is known:
1) O finished 2 ranks below L.
2) F-35 pilot finished immediately before M.
3) N finished 2\(^{nd}\) flying F-16.
4) L did not fly SU-57.
Find who flew F-22?

• A. M
• B. L
• C. N
• D. O

Hint:

In analytical puzzles, always start with the most direct and certain information. Use a table to keep track of assignments and eliminate possibilities as you go.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is a logic puzzle where we need to match each of the 4 pilots with their rank and the aircraft they flew based on the given clues. 
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:  
Let's create a table to organize the information:
\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{Rank} & \textbf{Pilot} & \textbf{Aircraft} \\ \hline 1 & & \\ \hline 2 & & \\ \hline 3 & & \\ \hline 4 & & \\ \hline \end{array} \] 
Let's process the clues: 
Clue 3: N finished 2\(^{nd}\) flying F-16. This gives us a definite entry. 
\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{Rank} & \textbf{Pilot} & \textbf{Aircraft} \\ \hline 1 & & \\ \hline 2 & N & F-16 \\ \hline 3 & & \\ \hline 4 & & \\ \hline \end{array} \] 

Clue 1: O finished 2 ranks below L. This means Rank(O) = Rank(L) + 2. The only possible ranks that fit are L=1, O=3, because rank 2 is already taken by N. 
\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{Rank} & \textbf{Pilot} & \textbf{Aircraft} \\ \hline 1 & L & \\ \hline 2 & N & F-16 \\ \hline 3 & O & \\ \hline 4 & & \\ \hline \end{array} \] 
This leaves Rank 4 for pilot M. 

Clue 2: F-35 pilot finished immediately before M. M is at Rank 4. The rank immediately before is 3. So, the pilot at rank 3 (O) flew the F-35. 
\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{Rank} & \textbf{Pilot} & \textbf{Aircraft} \\ \hline 1 & L & \\ \hline 2 & N & F-16 \\ \hline 3 & O & F-35 \\ \hline 4 & M & \\ \hline \end{array} \] 

Clue 4: L did not fly SU-57. The remaining aircrafts are F-22 and SU-57. Since L at Rank 1 did not fly the SU-57, L must have flown the F-22. This leaves the SU-57 for M. 
\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \textbf{Rank} & \textbf{Pilot} & \textbf{Aircraft} \\ \hline 1 & L & F-22 \\ \hline 2 & N & F-16 \\ \hline 3 & O & F-35 \\ \hline 4 & M & SU-57 \\ \hline \end{array} \] 
Step 3: Final Answer: 
From the completed table, we can see that L flew the F-22.