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Before and after

An ordering clue gives you useful crosses at the ends.

Clue type: Greater/lesser than clue

GUIDED WALKTHROUGHStep 1 of 3

Before and after

Each person has a different drink and snack. These small examples show one idea at a time; some squares will stay empty.

DrinksSnacksArrival times
TeaCoffeeJuiceCocoaAppleCrackersBrowniePear9:0010:0011:0012:00
PeopleAda
Ben
Cy
Dee
Arrival times9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
SnacksApple
Crackers
Brownie
Pear
Look here This step✓ Match× Not a match
The clues
  1. Ada arrived before Ben.
  2. Ben arrived at 10:00.
STEP 1

Leave room for both people

Clue type: Greater/lesser than clue

Ada needs a time before Ben. Ada cannot have the last time, 12:00. Ben cannot have the first time, 9:00.

Keep a note
Earlier → later
Ada → Ben
A common mistake

Before tells us the order. It does not say the two times are next to each other.