Six magicians A, B, C, D, E, F live in an island. Every Monday, the elders of the island rank the six magicians on their performance during the previous six days.

The rankings published on the previous Monday listed A 1st, B 2nd, C 3rd, D 4th, E 5th and F 6th.

This Monday’s ranking has each magician ranked in a different position than that of the previous Monday. We know that:

1. B’s change in ranking is greatest among the six magicians.

2. The product of D’s rankings for the two weeks is the same as the product of F’s rankings for the two weeks.

Determine the new rankings.

C, F, D, A, B

B has the greatest change, so it must go to 6th.

D is 4th and F is 6th, so 6a=4b. 6*2=12, and 4*3=12.

Since none of them have the same positions, A and C must switch.

Posted by Duke on 2007-05-17 22:47:17