$$(31-1) \div (4+1) = 6$$  $$6+1=7$$ 
There were $$31$$ runners competing in a race. The number of runners who finished before John is four times smaller than the number of runners who finished later than John. At what place did John finish? ($$1998$$ Math Kangaroo Problem, Level $$3-4$$, Question \#$$13$$) 
Options:
  $$6$$ 
  $$7$$ 
  $$8$$ 
  $$20$$ 
  $$21$$ 