Eight persons M, N, P, S, T, V, X, and Y are sitting in a straight line, and all are facing north. M is sitting at the third position from one of the ends. N is sitting second to the right of M. The number of persons to the right of N is equal to the number of persons to the left of P. S is sitting third to the right of P. X is sitting immediately to the right of Y. Only one person is sitting between X and V. How many people are sitting to the right of T?

Let’s build the arrangement step by step (8 persons, positions 1–8 left to right).

Step 1: M is 3rd from one end

So M can be:

Position 3 from left OR position 6 from left

Try M = 3.

Step 2: N is 2nd right of M

So N = 5.

Now arrangement:
_ _ M _ N _ _ _

Step 3: “Right of N = Left of P”

Right of N (position 5) = positions 6,7,8 → 3 persons
So left of P = 3 → P must be at position 4.

Now:
_ _ M P N _ _ _

Step 4: S is 3rd right of P

P at 4 → S at 7.

_ _ M P N _ S _

Step 5: X is immediately right of Y (Y X together)

Step 6: One person between X and V

Now remaining positions: 1,2,6,8 for T, V, X, Y.

Try placing YX as (1,2):
Y(1), X(2)

Then V must have one person between X and V:
X at 2 → V can be 4 or not possible (4 is P already), so invalid.

Try YX at (6,7) impossible (7 is S).

Try YX at (2,3) impossible (3 is M).

Try YX at (6,7) again blocked.

Try YX at (1,2) we already rejected.

So swap initial assumption M=3 might fail.

Try M = 6

Then N = 8 (2nd right of M).

Now:
_ _ _ _ _ M _ N

Right of N = 0 persons
So left of P = 0 → P = position 1.

Now:
P _ _ _ _ M _ N

S is 3rd right of P → S at 4.

P _ _ S _ M _ N

Remaining: T, V, X, Y at 2,3,5,7.

X is immediately right of Y → possible pairs:
(2,3) or (5,6 no M) or (7,8 no N)

Try YX = (2,3):
Y(2), X(3)

Now one person between X and V:
X=3 → V can be 5

Works: V=5

Remaining T=7.

Final arrangement:
P Y X S V M T N

Step 7: Count right of T (position 7)

Right of T = position 8 → only N

So number of persons to right of T = 1

Final Answer: One (1)