data organisation problem?

Question

I have a data information like this...

http://img264.imageshack.us/my.php?image=datacopy1qf.jpg


Now, based upon these data information i have to answer couple of questions.

As you see , the data information has been given in a hapazard manner ....we need to organise these data sets before answering the questions .

How do i organise these data ?

should i make a table ? i am bit confused here....i am getting confused with whole lots of data.

how do i organise these data for answering questions on this data set ?

could you please give me some tips ?

Thank you

Answer 1

You can get there by trial and error.

Example: Let's arbitrarily arrange the sets. We know the first 2 sets have 3 items, and the last has 2 items. Let's plug in the trial values:

5-11AM = {ABC}
11-5PM = {DEF}
5-11PM ={GH}

Now, let's start testing statements:

1. A took the printout before F and arrived before G.

So far, so good…the sets work as is, for this statement. We don't have to change anything.

Go to next test statement:

2. C took the printout before B but arrived after B.

Uh oh. Out sets don't work. C and B are in different sets, and C is before B. Re-arrange:

5-11AM = {ACD}
11-5PM = {BEF}
5-11PM ={GH}

*Now--this is important--go all the way back to statement 1. for every change and run through every statement…

In this way, you can get to an arrangement of sets that works for all statements. It's the long way, but it will work.

------

A little quicker, you can write the Rules translated from each statement *before* you arrange anything.

First, we know: 3 sets: 2 sets have 3 items, 1 set has 2 items, 8 items total.

1. A took the printout before F and arrived before G.

Translated:

- A and G are in different sets, A comes before G.

2. C took the printout before B but arrived after B.

Translated, and the rule list so far:
- 3 sets: 2 sets have 3 items, 1 set has 2 items, 8 items total.
- A and G are in different sets, A comes before G.
- B and C are in different sets, B comes before C.

…once you have All the rules translated into set-specific terms, it can be much easier to build/arrange the sets.