December 2023
Problem of the Month

Who is leading Santa's Sleigh?
Submitted by K. Sengupta
of Calcutta, India



You are given the following 12 clues, from which you must determine the order of the nine reindeer. You may be surprised to learn that Rudolph is not the leader!

(1) Comet is behind Rudolph, Prancer, and Cupid.

(2) Blitzen is behind Cupid.

(3) Blitzen is in front of Donder, Vixen, and Dancer.

(4) Donder is behind Vixen, Dasher, and Prancer.

(5) Rudolph is behind Prancer and in front of Donder and Dasher.

(6) Vixen is in front of Dancer and Comet.

(7) Dancer is behind Donder and Rudolph.

(8) Prancer is in front of Cupid and Blitzen.

(9) Dasher is behind Prancer and in front of Dancer and Blitzen.

(10) Donder is behind Comet and Cupid.

(11) Cupid is in front of Rudolph and Dancer.

(12) Vixen is behind Rudolph Prancer, and Dasher.

You may use the chart below to help Determine the order of the nine reindeer.


Click here for a printer version



Solution to the Problem:

The order of the reindeer is as follows:
1st     Prancer
2nd     Cupid
3rd     Rudolph
4th     Dasher
5th     Blitzen
6th     Vixen
7th     Comet
8th     Donder
9th     Dancer

In the chart below, I entered the number of the clue that eliminated that possibility.
In several places, it is the second time that I read through the clue.

For example, Clue 1 tells us that Comet can not be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, and Rudolph, Prancer, and Cupid cannot be 9th.   So I placed a 1 in those squares.




Correctly solved by:

1. Dr. Hari Kishan D.N. College,
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
2. Ivy Joseph Pune, Maharashtra, India
3. Bodey Fraughton Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming, USA
4. Landon Solaas Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming, USA
5. Ellie Barker Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming, USA
6. Tally Hamilton Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming, USA
7. Rob Miles Northbrook, Illinois, USA
8. Brailen Potter Mountain View High School,
Mountain View, Wyoming, USA
9. Colin (Yowie) Bowey Beechworth, Victoria, Australia
10. Heather Widener McLean, Virginia, USA
11. Kate Cotter University of Alabama,
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
12. Kamal Lohia Hisar, Haryana, India
13. Davit Banana Istanbul, Turkey
14. K M Thomas Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
15. Sapna Dominic Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
16. Benny Varghese Cochin, Kerala, India
17. Kelly Stubblefield Mobile, Alabama, USA
18. Nayeli Muckleshoot Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington, USA
19. Jack Crowell Muckleshoot Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington, USA
20. Anthony A. Muckleshoot Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington, USA
21. Ronald P. Muckleshoot Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington, USA
22. Leilani Muckleshoot Tribal School,
Auburn, Washington, USA



Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher