Question

In a queue, I am the last person while my friend is seventh from the front. If the person exactly between me and my friend is on the 23\textsuperscript{rd position from the front, what is my position in the queue?}

• A. 37
• B. 36
• C. 38
• D. 39

Hint:

When someone is “exactly between” two positions on a straight line, set that position to the average of the end positions and solve. If one end is “last,” it equals the total count.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Translate positions into numbers from the front.
Friend’s position from the front \(= 7\).
Let the total number of persons (hence, my position from the front since I am last) be \(N\). Step 2: Use the “exactly between” condition.
If the person at the exact middle between my friend and me is at 23\textsuperscript{rd} position, then the middle position equals the average of the two end positions:
\[ \frac{7 + N}{2} = 23 \;\Rightarrow\; 7 + N = 46 \;\Rightarrow\; N = 39. \] Step 3: Conclude my position.
Since I am the last person, my position from the front is \(N = 39\). \[ \boxed{ \text{My position in the queue is } 39. } \]