Machine input-output is a very important topic for banking exams. I will tell you a short-cut that would help you in solving such questions in a single line, instead of writing all the steps.
Q. 1)
Input: mix 12 in form 35 are 20 with 47 given
Step I: 47 mix 12 in form 35 20 with given are
Step II: 47 35 mix 12 in 20 with given are form
Step III: 47 35 20 mix 12 in with are form given
Step IV: 47 35 20 12 mix with are form given in
Step V: 47 35 20 12 with are form given in mix
Step VI: 47 35 20 12 are form given in mix with
As per the rules given above, solve the below input
Input: when 11 given fine 37 provide zero 90 over 45 is 29 team 89
Solution:
First try to find the pattern.
In the given question, each step moves the biggest number to the left and the smallest word to the right. So ultimately are the numbers are sorted in the descending order on the left and all the words are sorted in the ascending order on the right.
Once you have deciphered the pattern, write down the input
Input: when 11 given fine 37 provide zero 90 over 45 is 29 team 89
Now in the 1st step the biggest number, i.e., "90" will move to the left, while the smallest number, i.e., "fine" will move to the right. Hence strike-through the words "fine" and "90" and write "1R" and "1L" above them, respectively. Like this:
1R means in the 1st step, "fine" will move to the extreme right and 1L means in the first step, "90" will move to the extreme left.
Now, "89" is the next biggest number and "given" is the next smallest word. Hence, strike-through them and write "2L" and "2R" above them, respectively.
Similarly strike-through the rest of the words.
Your input will look something like this-
That's it, you can now solve all the questions, just by looking at the above figure.
Q. 1(a) Which number/word would come on the fourth position(from the left) in step II ?
From our figure we can see that in the 2nd step, the words having the code "1L" and "2L" will move to the left and the words having the code "1R" and "2R" will move to the right. All the other words/numbers won't change their positions. Hence, step II will look like this: (I am writing the whole step just for the sake of explanation. You can easily imagine the step in your head)
Step II: 90 89 when 11 37 provide zero over 45 is 29 team 89 fine given
So the fourth word from the left is "11"
Q. 1(b) How many step would be needed to complete the arrangement?
The farthest our code reached was 8R. Hence the total number of steps is 8.
Q. 1(c) In step IV, which word would be 8th from the left?
In step IV - 1R, 2R, 3R and 4R would be on the right, while 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L would be on the left. Rest of the words/numbers would remain unchanged.
Step IV: 90 89 45 37 when 11 provide zero 29 team fine given is over
So the 8th word from the left is "zero".
Short-cut: You have to count from the left. so just look at the image and imagine 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L on the left and count the leftover words (ignoring 1R, 2R, 3R and 4R because they would be on the extreme right).
5th word = when
6th word = eleven
7th word = provide
8th word = zero
Q. 1(d) Which step number would be the following output?
90 89 45 when 11 37 provide zero over 29 team fine given is
You can see that three numbers have been arranged on the left and three numbers have been arranged on the right. So it is the 3rd step.
Let us take another question
Q. 2) Input: gone name 43 39 18 for again 66
Step 1 : 66 gone name 43 39 18 for again
Step 2 : 66 again gone name 43 39 18 for
Step 3 : 66 again 43 gone name 39 18 for
Step 4 : 66 again 43 for gone name 39 18
Step 5 : 66 again 43 for 39 gone name 18
Step 6 : 66 again 43 for 39 gone 18 name
Based on the above rule, sort the below input-
Input: their 19 27 dent are 91 hour zero 31 16 chairs
The pattern is simple: Numbers and words are arranged alternatively, with numbers following descending order and words following ascending order.
After sorting, the input will look like this:
Note few things:
- I have only written 1L, 2L, etc. and no "R" because the words/numbers are only moving to the left. 1L means in the first step the word coded "1L" will move to the left and "2L" means in the second step, the word coded "2L" will move to the second position from the left.
- I have not numbered "their" and "zero" because after striking-through 16 (i.e. 9L), you will notice that the words "their" and "zero" are already sorted in the ascending order. So no need to write 10L over "their" and 11L over "zero". Had the situation been something like this-
Then you would have written "10L" over "their" and 11L over "zero".
Q. 2(a) Which of the following will be step 4 ?
A.) 91 are 31 their 19 27 dent hour zero 16 chairs
B.) 91 their 19 27 dent are hour zero 31 16 chairs
C.) 91 are 31 chairs their 19 27 dent hour zero 16
D.) 91 are 31 chairs 27 dent 19 their hour zero 16
Look at the solution figure:
In the fourth step- 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L will move to the left and rest of the words/numbers will remain as it is. So the fourth step will look like this:
91 are 31 chairs their 19 27 dent hour zero 16
Answer: (C)
Q. 2(b) How many steps would be needed to sort the input?
Answer: 9 (because the highest numbering is 9L)
Q. 2(c) Which of the following would be final arrangement ?
A) 91 are their 27 19 dent hour zero 31 16 chairs
B) 91 are 31 chairs 27 dent 19 hour 16 their zero
C) 91 are 31 chairs 27 19 dent hour 16 their zero
D) 91 are 31 chairs 27 dent 19 zero hour 16 their
It's easy. Sort the numbers and words alternatively with numbers following descending order and words following ascending order.
Answer: (B)
I think by now you must have understood this method. Solve some questions to get a hold of it.
If you have any doubt in this article, please drop a comment.
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