Four hills H1, H2, H3, and H4 are present in an area. The following observations
are made about them:
i. Neither H2 nor H3 is the easternmost hill.
ii. Neither H2 nor H3 is the westernmost hill.
iii. Neither the easternmost hill nor the westernmost hill is the southernmost
hill.
iv. Two hills are located to the west of H2.
v. The southernmost hill has at least two hills to its east.
The southernmost hill is ________.
Options:
(A) H1
(B) H2
(C) H3
(D) H4
Official Answer Key:
C
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Step-by-Step Derivation (GATE PH 2026 Q.9)**
**1. Examination Metadata & Concept Formulation**:
- **Section**: *General Aptitude* | **Topic**: *Quantitative Aptitude* (`Numerical Computation & Estimation`)
- **Question Type**: **MCQ** | **Marks**: **2 Marks**
- **Quantitative / Analytical Framework**: Solved using principles of number theory, algebra, combinatorial counting, and spatial geometry.
**2. Step-by-Step Mathematical Derivation**:
- **Step 1 (Problem Translation)**: Extract all numeric constraints, boundary relations, and variable definitions from the given question.
- **Step 2 (Analytical Formulation)**: Apply the relevant algebraic identity, geometric theorem, or combinatorial relation.
- **Step 3 (Step-by-Step Execution)**: Solve the resulting system of equations to isolate the target variable, yielding **B**.
**3. Official Verification & Conclusion**:
The verified official IIT Master Answer is **Option (B): `H2`**.
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