Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DLR)

Introduction

DLR is a challenging section for many students.
Familiarity: Unlike Quant (studied in school) or Reading Comprehension (done before), DLR is often entirely new.
However, DLR can be enjoyable and is solvable with a systematic approach.

Process: Have a structured process to maintain control.
- Defer: Understand the problem/game.
- Identify: Know what needs to be found.
- Layout: Capture and organize information on a working sheet.
- Resolve: Analyze and solve using clues.

Defer: Understand the sequencing within rooms and venues.
Identify: Read the questions to know the demands (e.g., which room did D go to, when did B arrive? etc.).
Layout: Use a working sheet to organize given data systematically.
Resolve: Step-by-step resolution of clues while capturing necessary order constraints.

Clue Processing:
- Extract essential insights (e.g., B was third to enter 101 means two must be before B).
- Validate positions considering constraints (e.g., B can't be first or second because it must have two candidates already).
Utilize a working sheet to segregate information, deductions, and interim steps.
Sequencing with constraints yields the systematic determination of all positions.

Context: Place 12 items (A to L) on shelves numbered 1 to 16 with 4 as empty.
Classification: Biscuits, candies, and savories (5 biscuits, 3 candies, 4 savories).
Constraints: Items of the same type must cluster together with at least one empty shelf between different clusters.

Initial formatted layout and constraints about placement.
Specific relationship constraints (e.g., A and B must be consecutive in increasing order).

Defer: Understand agreements on same item clustering and interspersed empties.
Identify: Specific location/arithmetic constraints for resolving placements.
Layout: Arrange candidates and empty spaces following given directives.
Resolve: Integrate all clues to solve queries about empty positions and candy/biscuit placements.

Clue Construction:
- Detailed classification and sequential setup (e.g., A, B in order, I, J also sequential but unknown exactness).
- Block construction for same type clustering and empty separation.
Iterative Solution: Draft multiple possible configurations and validate against constraints.
Assignment Verification: Evaluate solutions for multiple questions (e.g., which items are biscuits, arrangement alignments, and mandatory true conditions).