Two men and two women—Elliot, Theodore, Shelly, and Tina—are professionals who meet for a conference. One is a Dean of Students, one is a Director of Academic Affairs, one is an Academic Advisor, and one is an instructor. The table at which they are seated is square.

The instructor sat on Shelly’s left.

The Director sat across from Theodore.

Tina and Elliot sat next to each other.

A man sat on the Dean’s right.

Who is the Academic Advisor?

What do YOU think.
Draw a picture may help better..

Two men and two women—Elliot, Theodore, Shelly, and Tina—are professionals who meet for a conference. One is a Dean of Students, one is a Director of Academic Affairs, one is an Academic Advisor, and one is an instructor. The table at which they are seated is square.

Let's call the seats A, B, C. D - going clockwise.


The instructor sat on Shelly's left.

Let's start by putting Shelly in seat A, so this puts the instructor in B. (It really doesn't matter which seat we put Shelly in - so may as well be A),



The Director sat across from Theodore.

If we put the director in A, then Theodore is in C, and the next condition (Tina and Elliot sit next to each other) is impossible, so the director is not in A. We also know the director is not in B (that's where the instructor is), and can't be in C (because that is across form Shelly) - so the director must be in D, and Theodore is in B.


Tina and Elliot sat next to each other.

Either Tina is in D and Elliot in C (call this case 1) or Elliot is in D and Tina in C (case 2)



A man sat on the Dean's right.
Case 1: only way for this to work is if Elliot is the Dean.
Case 2: Shelly must be Dean


Who is the Academic Advisor?

Must be either Shelly (case 1) or Tina (case 2).