Five friends (A, B, C, D, E) stand in a single-file line. E is at the front. C is immediately behind D. B is immediately behind C. A is somewhere ahead of B. What is the front-to-back order of the line?
E, A, D, C, B
The trio D, C, B forms a fixed block [D-C-B]. Since E is 1st, [D-C-B] must occupy positions 3, 4, 5 so that A can fit in position 2 (ahead of B). Thus, the order from 1st to 5th is E, A, D, C, B.
About this riddle
Logic riddles give you a few facts and ask what must be true. List what you know, cross out what cannot be, and see what is left.
Difficulty: Medium. More like this: Logic riddles with answers or try Einstein's Logic Grid for a different kind of puzzle.
More logic riddles
Four runners—A, B, C, and D—finished a race. C finished immediately before A. D was not last, but finished after B. Who won the race?
A farmer needs to divide 12 sheep into 4 distinct pens. How can he place an odd number of sheep in each of the 4 pens?
You face two doors: one leads to freedom, the other to danger. Guarding them are twin brothers: one ALWAYS tells the truth, and the other ALWAYS lies. You may ask EXACTLY ONE question to ONE guard. What question guarantees you find the door to freedom?
Five students took a quiz. Sam scored higher than Tom. Lisa scored lower than Sam but higher than Tom. Nina scored higher than Sam. Mark scored lower than Tom. Who achieved the middle score?
A wizard brews a potion using two hourglasses to time a 9-minute spell. One hourglass runs out in 4 minutes, and the other runs out in 7 minutes. How can the wizard measure exactly 9 minutes using only these two hourglasses?
Three logicians walk into a café. The server asks, 'Does everyone want lemonade?' The first logician says 'I don't know.' The second logician says 'I don't know.' The third logician says 'Yes!' How did the third logician know that all three wanted lemonade?

