There are 5 books, A, B, C, D and E, placed on a table. If A is placed below E and above C and D, B is placed below A and above D and E, then which book will touch the surface of the table?
A
C
B
A
C
E
D
B
Correct Option:
D
Explanation
The printed question is defective.
As printed, it says A is below E while B is below A and above E, producing the impossible loop E>A>B>E. The standard version of this well-known puzzle reads: "A below E, C above D, B below A, D above E," which gives C > D > E > A > B, so B touches the table. The standard version is independently recorded with B as the bottom book.