I was taught to solve this type of puzzle with a grid,
a method which appeals to my systematic style of thinking.
So here's a grid with the people across the top
and the position in line down the side.
_ A B C D E
1 _ _ _ _ _
2 _ _ _ _ _
3 _ _ _ _ _
4 _ _ _ _ _
5 _ _ _ _ _
1: Dan is just behind Beth, so D can't be first and B can't be last
_ A B C D E
1 _ _ _ X _
2 _ _ _ _ _
3 _ _ _ _ _
4 _ _ _ _ _
5 _ X _ _ _
2. Dan is in front of Elise, so D can't be last and E can't be first.
_ A B C D E
1 _ _ _ X X
2 _ _ _ _ _
3 _ _ _ _ _
4 _ _ _ _ _
5 _ X _ X _
3: Isn't very useful yet, we'll come back to it.
4: Adam is in position 3
(therefore A is in no other position and no one else is at 3)
_ A B C D E
1 X _ _ X X
2 X _ _ _ _
3 O X X X X
4 X _ _ _ _
5 X X _ X _
3: Carlos is next to Adam, so C isn't at 1 or 5.
_ A B C D E
1 X _ X X X
2 X _ _ _ _
3 O X X X X
4 X _ _ _ _
5 X X X X _
Position 1 can now only be B and position 5 can only be E.
_ A B C D E
1 X O X X X
2 X X _ _ X
3 O X X X X
4 X X _ _ X
5 X X X X O
1 again: Dan is just behind Beth, and B is at 1, so D is at 2.
And that leaves only position 4 for C.
_ A B C D E
1 X O X X X
2 X X X O X
3 O X X X X
4 X X O X X
5 X X X X O
So the order is Beth, Dan, Adam, Carlos, Elise.
You certainly can, as some did, solve this without the procedural grid,
but the grid can become very useful for visualizing all the information
and deduction you have accumulated.
Especially if the problem becomes more complex . . .
New puzzle soon!
