Every week we feature an original logic puzzle for your brain-bending pleasure. They follow a format similar to those on the LSAT, and their difficulty ranges the full gamut. Good luck!

Written by: Alexander JL Theoharis

Six friends are out flying their dirigibles on a Sunday afternoon. On a lark, they decide to race back home (the winner gets ownership of the prized group dirigible, the Hindenburg). The friends arrive according to the following rules:
Nigel, due to the weight of his dirigible, arrives second-to-last.
Malcom arrives directly before Jasper.
Kopernicus and Ollie never arrive consecutively.
Liam never arrives after Ollie.

1. If Ollie arrives 4th, who arrives last?
a. Nigel
b. Kopernicus
c. Malcom
d. Liam

2. If Liam arrives fourth, who arrives 2nd?
a. Malcom
b. Jasper
c. Jasper or Malcom
d. Ollie

3. Assume that Nigel lightens his load by throwing his monocle collection overboard, eliminating the first rule. Who cannot arrive last?
a. Kopernicus
b. Ollie and Kopernicus
c. Jasper
d. Liam and Malcom

4. If Ollie arrives second, which of the following cannot be true:
a. Liam arrives first
b. Kopernicus arrives fourth
c. Kopernicus arrives after Liam
d. Nigel arrives after Ollie

Answers after the break.

Answer Key

1. b. Kopernicus

2. c. Japser or Malcom

3. d. Liam and Malcom

4. b. Kopernicus arrives fourth.