Question

The following is the priority order of 7 Steps (B, E, L, M, O, P, R)
? R B E ?

Additionally
- Steps P and O are before step B
- Step O is immediately after step R
- Steps B and L are before step M
What are the first and last steps, respectively?
Step P and step M


Step O and step P


Step L and step M


Step M and step P

Answer 1

To solve the problem, let's analyze the given information step by step:

1. **Steps P and O are before step B:**
This means that B comes after both P and O.

2. **Step O is immediately after step R:**
This places R before O. Thus, we have R -> O.

3. **Steps B and L are before step M:**
This means both B and L come before M.

Now we can put the information together.

From point 2, we know:
- R -> O

From point 1, since both P and O come before B:
- P -> (R -> O) -> B

From point 3, since B and L are before M, we can say:
- L -> B
- Therefore, both L and P are before M, with L before B which we already established.

Now we can piece together the order:

- R must come first because it is the only step lined out right now.
- After R, we place O immediately after it.
- Then P has to come before B since both P and O are mentioned to be before B.
- Finally, L must come before M, and since it is also before B, we need to visualize that L sits before M after all other placements.

The plausible sequence respecting all constraints looks like this:
1. R
2. O
3. P
4. B
5. L (L before M can be after B)
6. M

Based on this analysis, the first step is R, and the last step is M.

Now, looking at the provided options, we find:

- Step P and step M
- Step O and step P
- Step L and step M
- Step M and step P

The correct answer is **Step L and step M** are the first and last steps respectively, as we conclude M is indeed the last step.

Thus, the answer is:
**Step L and step M**.