Read the given information carefully and answer the question that follows.

Eight professionals hold different positions, namely Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vice President (VP), Senior Director (SD), Director (Dir), Senior Manager (SM), Manager (Mgr), and Officer (Off) in an organization. The hierarchy of their seniority is in the same sequence as listed, where CEO represents the highest rank and Officer represents the lowest rank.

Exactly two ranks separate A and B, where B holds a position junior to Director. C is immediately junior to E and immediately senior to D. The number of individuals ranking senior to E is equal to the number of individuals ranking junior to F. G ranks junior to H, and H does not hold the rank of CEO.

Which of the following professionals is three ranks senior to F?

The correct option is H.

Let us analyze the given information step-by-step to determine the complete hierarchical order of the eight professionals.

1. Hierarchy Ranks:

The positions from highest to lowest rank (1 to 8) are:

1. CEO
2. COO
3. VP
4. SD
5. Dir
6. SM
7. Mgr
8. Off

2. Positioning A and B:

We are given that B holds a position junior to Director (Dir), which means B can be at rank 6 (SM), 7 (Mgr), or 8 (Off).

Exactly two ranks separate A and B.

• If B is at rank 6 (SM), then A can be at rank 3 (VP).

• If B is at rank 7 (Mgr), then A can be at rank 4 (SD).

• If B is at rank 8 (Off), then A can be at rank 5 (Dir).

3. Positioning C, E, and D:

C is immediately junior to E and immediately senior to D. This forms a block of three consecutive ranks: E, C, D in order from senior to junior.

4. Positioning E and F:

The number of individuals senior to E equals the number of individuals junior to F. This means E and F are symmetrically placed from top and bottom.

• If E is at rank 1 (CEO), F must be at rank 8 (Off). Then C is at rank 2 (COO) and D is at rank 3 (VP).
Now let's check: E=1, C=2, D=3. Since A and B have 2 ranks between them and B is junior to Dir (rank > 5), let's place A at rank 4 (SD) and B at rank 7 (Mgr).
Remaining ranks to fill: rank 5 (Dir) and rank 6 (SM).
We are given G ranks junior to H, and H is not CEO (rank 1). So H can be at rank 5 (Dir) and G at rank 6 (SM).

Let's verify all conditions for this arrangement:

1. CEO: E
2. COO: C
3. VP: D
4. SD: A
5. Dir: H
6. SM: G
7. Mgr: B
8. Off: F

• B (Mgr, rank 7) is junior to Director (Dir, rank 5). - Satisfied
• Exactly two ranks separate A (SD, rank 4) and B (Mgr, rank 7), as ranks 5 and 6 are between them. - Satisfied
• C (rank 2) is immediately junior to E (rank 1) and immediately senior to D (rank 3). - Satisfied
• Individuals senior to E (rank 1) = 0. Individuals junior to F (rank 8) = 0. - Satisfied
• G (rank 6) ranks junior to H (rank 5). - Satisfied
• H is not CEO. - Satisfied

5. Answering the Question:

We need to find the professional who is three ranks senior to F (rank 8).

Three ranks senior to rank 8 is rank (8 - 3) = 5 (Dir).

The professional holding rank 5 (Director) is H.