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A word-and-number arrangement machine rearranges any input line in steps. In each step two shifts happen together: the smallest number that has not already been shifted in an earlier step is taken out and placed at the extreme right end of the line, and at the same time the word that comes first in alphabetical order among the words not already shifted in an earlier step is taken out and placed at the extreme left end of the line. All the remaining elements keep their relative order, and the machine stops when no further shift is possible.
Input: fig 42 97 gum husk 23 76 ivy.
How many steps are needed to complete the rearrangement of the above input?

Competition practiceInput-Output
  • A5
  • B4
  • C3
  • D6

Step-by-Step Solution

Each step fixes one element that the rule targets, and the last step is Step 4: ivy husk gum fig 23 42 76 97. No further shift is possible after that, so 4 steps are needed.
Answer: B) 4

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