Logical Problems & Puzzles: MDCAT Notes and MCQs

Approach to puzzles

1. Read all clues; list the entities (people, days, colours, positions).
2. Build a grid/table and mark definite facts (✓) and eliminations (✗) first.
3. Use conditional clues ("if… then") after placing fixed ones; try cases when two options remain.
4. Re-check every clue against your final arrangement.

Handy facts

• Clock angle = |30H − 5.5M| degrees (take 360 − θ if > 180). Hands coincide ≈ every 65 5/11 minutes (11 times in 12 h).
• Calendar: ordinary year has 1 odd day, leap year 2. Same date next ordinary year falls one weekday later.
• Ages: set the unknown as x, write the relations as equations.
• Handshakes among n people = n(n − 1)/2.