Problem:
A circular table has exactly chairs around it. There are people seated at this table in such a way that the next person to be seated must sit next to someone. The smallest possible value of is
Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Solution:
Divide the chairs around the table into sets of three consecutive seats. If fewer than people are seated at the table, then at least one of these sets of three seats will be unoccupied. If the next person sits in the center of this unoccupied set, then that person will not be seated next to anyone already seated. On the other hand, if people are already seated, and each occupies the center seat in one of the sets of three, then the next person to be seated must sit next to one of these people.
Query. What is the answer for chairs? For chairs?