Study the following information to
answer the questions given below it.
A number sorting machine, when given an input of
numbers, rearranges the numbers in a particular manner step
by step indicated below-- till all the numbers are arranged in a particular order.
`{:("input : 29 2 15 5 20 11 50 105 28 19 30 140"),("Step I : 2 29 15 5 20 11 50 105 28 19 30 140"),("Step II : 2 140 15 5 20 11 50 105 28 19 30 29"),("Step III : 2 140 5 15 20 11 50 105 28 19 30 29"),("Step IV : 2 140 5 105 20 11 50 15 28 19 30 29 "),("Step V : 2 140 5 105 11 20 50 15 28 19 30 29"),("Step VI : 2 140 5 105 11 50 20 15 28 19 30 29"),("Step VII: 2 140 5 105 11 50 15 20 28 19 30 29"),("Step VIII : 2 140 5 11 50 15 30 28 19 20 29"),("Step IX: 2 140 5 105 11 50 15 30 19 28 20 29"),(" Step X: 2 140 5 105 11 50 15 30 19 29 20 28"):}`
How many steps would be required in getting the final
output for the following input ?
Input : 10, 4, 1, 9, 8, 12

Options

A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four

Answer

D

Explanation

After analysing the sample sequence, the pattern/rule in
each step for a number arrangement is as follows :
First step : Smallest number comes to the left most
position (first position). The remaining numbers shifts right wards.
Second step : Largest number shifts to the second
position. The remaining numbers shifts rightwards.
And so on.
So, the numbers are arranged as : Smallest, Largest,
Second smallest, Second largest,..... and so on.
Or in an ascending order and in descending order altermately.
Note : At each step, position of only one number is altered.
`{:("input : 10 4 1 9 8 12 "),("Step I : 1 4 10 9 8 12"),("Step II : 1 12 10 9 8 4"),("Step III :1 12 4 9 8 10"),("Step IV :1 12 4 10 8 9 "):}`
So, step IV is the last step or final output.
Therefore, required number of steps to obtain the final output = Four