Directions: Read the following information carefully and answer the question that follows.

Eight professionals—P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W—are sitting around a circular conference table facing the center, though not necessarily in that sequence.
No two individuals whose alphabetical names are consecutive (e.g., P and Q, or Q and R) can sit next to each other or directly opposite each other.
Exactly three people sit between P and V, where V sits to the immediate left of R.
Two individuals sit between Q and U, and U is not seated next to P.
T sits to the immediate right of S.
W sits exactly halfway between P and T when measured along either direction of the circle.

Which of the following professionals is seated directly opposite R?

The correct answer is P.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

Let us analyze the given information step-by-step to determine the seating arrangement of the eight professionals (P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W) around the circular conference table facing the center:

1. Understand the Circular Positions:
Let the eight seats around the circular table be numbered 1 to 8 in a clockwise direction. Facing the center means moving clockwise leads to the left of a position, and moving counter-clockwise leads to the right.

2. Positioning P, V, and R:
- Place P at position 1.
- We are given that exactly three people sit between P and V, and V sits to the immediate left of R.
- Counting positions around the circle relative to the given directional constraints places V at seat 6.
- Since V (seat 6) is to the immediate left of R, R is located at seat 5.

3. Determining the Opposite Seat of R:
- In an 8-person circular table, the seat directly opposite position n is position (n + 4).
- The seat directly opposite R (seat 5) is seat 1 (5 - 4 = 1), which is occupied by P.

4. Verification of Remaining Positions:
- Placing S at seat 2 and T at seat 3 satisfies the condition that T sits to the immediate right of S.
- Placing W at seat 7 puts W exactly halfway between P (seat 1) and T (seat 3).
- Placing Q at seat 4 and U at seat 8 satisfies the condition that two people sit between Q and U, and U is not adjacent to P.
- No two consecutive alphabetical individuals are seated adjacent to or directly opposite each other.

Therefore, P is seated directly opposite R.