Data Sufficiency (WWW - Aptidude.com) PDF

10/10/2013
Data Sufficiency
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. TYPES OF DS QUESTIONS
III. RULES FOR DS QUESTIONS
A. ONLY A UNIQUE ANSWER FROM A SINGLE STATEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.

B. TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM TWO DIFFERENT STATEMENTS ARE ACCEPTABLE.
C. NO IS AS GOOD AN ANSWER AS YES.
IV. HOW TO APPROACH DS QUESTIONS

V. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE
VI. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON REASONING
VII. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON DATA INTERPRETATION
VIII. DS EXAMPLES WITH OTHER VARIETIES OF INSTRUCTION SETS
Data Sufficiency
I. INTRODUCTION
As the name suggests, Data Sufficiency (DS) is related to finding out if we have
sufficient data available with us to solve a question. Let us have a look at this
question.
What is the value of 12x + 17?
We cannot solve the question without knowing the value of x. So, we will say that the
given data is insufficient to answer the question.
DS questions generally consist of the following:
A set of instructions which needs to be carefully read before answering the
question.
A question with or without data.
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Two statements which give us some data related to the question. This data may
or may not be sufficient to answer the question.
Let us try and understand this by using an example.
Example 1:
A question is given below, followed by two statements A and B. Check if,
1. The question can be answered using statement A alone.
2. The question can be answered using statement B alone.
3. The question can be answered using both the statements A and B together.
4. The question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.
Question:
What is the value of 2x + 7, where x is an integer?
Statements:
A.
x>3
B. x < 5
Solution:
We need to find the value of 2x + 7. Clearly, to find this value we need x. The
question only states that x is an integer.
Step I:
Take only statement A and try to solve the question.
Here, x > 3
So x can take the values 4, 5, 6, 7
2x + 7 can be 15, 17, 19, 21
Thus, we cannot find a unique value of 2x + 7 using statement A alone.
Step II:
Take only statement B and try to solve the question.
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Here, x < 5
So x can take values 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 2
2x + 7 can be 15, 13, 11, 9
Thus, we cannot find a unique value of 2x + 7 using statement B alone.
Step III:
Since step I and step II have failed to give an answer, lets consider statements A
and B together.
Now, we have x > 3 and x < 5 i.e. 3 < x < 5.
This gives x = 4
2x + 7 = 15
We get a unique value of 2x + 7 by considering both the statements together.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
If we were unable to get the answer even after using both the statements A and B
together, then the data would have been insufficient to solve the question.
II. TYPES OF DS QUESTIONS

DS questions can be based on concepts from Quantitative Ability, Reasoning or Data
Interpretation.
We can classify the DS questions based on the instructions given before the set of
questions as a 5 option DS or a 4 option DS.
A typical set of questions based on 5 option DS would be preceded by the following
set of instructions:
Each question is followed by two statements, A and B. Answer each question using the
following instructions:
Mark (1) if the question can be answered by using the statement A alone but not by
using the statement B alone.
Mark (2) if the question can be answered by using the statement B alone but not by
using the statement A alone.
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Mark (3) if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Mark (4) if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but not
by either of the statements alone.
Mark (5) if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.
A typical set of questions based on 4 option DS would be preceded by the following
set of instructions:
IMPORTANT
The instructions given above for a 5 option DS and for a 4 option DS are
similar to those which appear normally in different competitive examinations.
But these instructions can be different from those discussed here.
Hence, students should read and understand the directions very carefully
before solving questions.
Example 2:
Question:
What is the value of x + y?
Statements:
A. x + 2y = 7
B. 3x
4y = 2
Solution:
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It is very obvious that, using statement A alone or using statement B alone, we

cannot find the value of x + y.
But when we use both the statements A and B together, we get two linear
equations which are independent & consistent. Thus, we can find out the values of
x and y and thus, the value of (x + y).
So, the question can be answered using neither statement A alone nor statement B
alone but can be answered using both the statements together.
Thus, in case of a 5 option DS, having instructions as stated earlier, the correct
option choice would be (4) and in case of a 4 option DS the correct option choice
would be (3).
REMEMBER:
We need not solve the above question and find out the actual value of x + y. All
we need to find out is whether the given data is sufficient to solve the question
or not. However, sometimes it is not possible to figure whether data is
sufficient unless we completely solve the question.
IMPORTANT
In the above example, we have not solved the two linear equations. But, it does
not mean that whenever we see a Two equation - Two variable case, we
conclude that the data is sufficient. We have to at least make sure that the two
given equations are independent and consistent.
Let us take another example.

Example 3:
Question:
What is the LCM of 3 and x?
Statements:
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A.
HCF of 3 and x is 1.
B.
x is a positive composite number less than 5.
Solution:
Using statement A alone:
HCF of 3 and x is 1. This means that 3 and x do not have any common divisors
other than 1 and hence, 3 and x are relatively prime numbers. But, this does not
give us a unique value of x. So, we cannot find the LCM of 3 and x.
Statement A alone is not sufficient to answer the question.
Using statement B alone:
The only composite number less than 5 is 4.
So we get the unique value of x as 4.
LCM of 3 and 4 is 12.
Statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Thus, if the instructions for the question are as above, then the correct option
choice would be (2), regardless of whether the question is 5 option DS or 4 option
DS.
REMEMBER:
In the above example, since we are able to solve the question using one of the
statements alone, we will not test the sufficiency of both the statements
together to solve the question.
III. RULES FOR DS QUESTIONS

DS questions are different from typical quantitative ability questions or reasoning
questions. Hence, the rules for DS questions are also different. Following are a few
rules that are applicable to DS.
A. ONLY A UNIQUE ANSWER FROM A SINGLE STATEMENT IS

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ACCEPTABLE.
Let us take an example.
Example 4:
Question:
What is the value of x?
Statements:
A.
x2
B.
x + 2y = 6
5x + 6 = 0
Solution:
Using statement A alone, we will get two answers x = 2 and x = 3. For a
mathematics question, both these answers are acceptable. But, in DS, this data is
not sufficient to answer the question because we are not able to get a unique
answer.
IMPORTANT
The above example does not mean that whenever we come across a quadratic
equation, we should conclude that the data is insufficient. Sometimes both the
roots of the quadratic equation can be the same or one out of the two distinct
roots of the equation can be discarded. In such conditions, the data will
become sufficient to solve the question.
For example, if one of the roots of a quadratic equation is x = 2, and the
question was What is the number of students x? then this root should be
discarded as the number of students cannot be negative.
B. TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM TWO DIFFERENT STATEMENTS

ARE ACCEPTABLE.
Let us take another example.
Example 5:
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Question:
Statements:
A.
x+ 2 = 5
B.
x+2=6
Solution:
These two statements will give two different answers. Using statement A alone we
get x = 3, but using statement B alone we get x = 4. The two answers are different,
but we are not concerned about the answers. What is important is whether the
data is sufficient to solve the question or not. In this case both the statements A
and B are individually sufficient to solve the question, and hence we will mark
option (3) as our correct choice in a typical 5 option DS variety.
C. NO IS AS GOOD AN ANSWER AS YES.

Let us take one more example.
Example 6:
Question:
Is x a prime number?
Statements:
A.
x+y=5
B.
x+ 12 = 18
Solution:
Using statement A alone, we do not get any unique answer as y is not given.
Using statement B alone, we get x = 6 which is not a prime number, hence the
answer to the question Is x a prime number? is No.
Although, the answer is No, we still have an answer and the data is sufficient to
solve the question. So the correct option is 2.
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Hence, option 2.
IV. HOW TO APPROACH DS QUESTIONS

Refer to the following self-explanatory flow charts.
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V. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

Directions for examples 7 and 8:
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Example 7:
Question:
By how much time does Jack beat Joe in the race?
Statements:
A.
The race track is of 100 meters.
B.
Jack and Joe start off from the same point at the same time and Jack is 2 m/s
faster than Joe.

Solution:
We cannot find out the time by knowing the distance only.
Statement A alone is not sufficient.
We cannot find out the time as the distance is not known.
Statement B alone is also not sufficient.
Using both the statements A and B together:
Let speed of Joe be x m/s. Then the speed of Jack will be (x + 2) m/s.
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But, we do not know the speed of Joe (x), hence we cannot find a unique answer.
Both the Statements A and B together are also not sufficient.
Hence, option 5.
Example 8:
Question:
Is (x
y) greater than (x + y)?
Statements:
A.
x and y are negative fractions.
B.
x and y are positive integers.
Solution:
Since y is negative, we have,
y<0
y > 0
(x
y) > x and (x + y) < x
Thus, (x
y) is greater than (x + y). The answer to the question is Yes.
Statement A alone is sufficient.

Since y is a positive integer, we have,
y>0
y < 0
(x y) < x and (x + y) > x
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Thus, (x
y) is not greater than (x + y). The answer to the question is No.
Statement B alone is also sufficient.

Hence, option 3.
Directions for examples 9 to 22:

Choose 1 if the question can be answered by using one of the statements alone, but
cannot be answered using the other statement alone.
Choose 2 if the question can be answered by using either statement alone.
Choose 3 if the question can be answered by using both statements together, but cannot
be answered using either statement alone.
Choose 4 if the question cannot be answered even by using both statements together.
Example 9:
Question:
A shopkeeper marks an article at Rs. 150. What is the profit he makes?
Statements:
A.
Selling price is 130% of cost price.
B.
20% discount is offered by the shopkeeper.
Solution:
We know that the profit is 30% of cost price, but the absolute value of profit
cannot be determined until we get the value of cost price or selling price.
Since marked price and discount percentage is known, we can find selling price.
But, this also does not give us the profit, until we know the profit percentage or
cost price.
Statement B alone is not sufficient.
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Using statement A and B together:

Since we know selling price from statement B and profit percentage from
statement A, profit can be calculated.
Both the statements A and B together are sufficient.
Hence, option 3.
Example 10:
Question:
P , Q, R, S and T are 5 people who appeared for an exam. What is the percentage
scored by R if 40% is the passing percentage and R has passed the exam?
Statements:
A.
Average of the marks scored by P, Q, and R is same as the average of marks
scored by S and T.
B. Out of P, Q and R, two have failed. Also, the average of the three is the
maximum possible average under the given conditions.
Solution:
We cannot find the percentage of marks obtained by R.
Since R has passed, R must have scored 100% marks for maximum average of
marks scored by P, Q and R.
Statement B alone is sufficient.
Hence, option 1.
Example 11:
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Question:
What is the value of X?
Statements:
A.
X and Y are unequal even integers, less than 10, and X/Y is an odd integer.
B.
X and Y are even integers, each less than 10, and product of X and Y is 12.
[CAT 2001]
Solution:
Both have to be even numbers, the only possibility is X = 6 and Y = 2
Statement A alone is sufficient to answer the question.
12=1
12 = 2
6=3
Both are even integers and less than 10, the possible set of values of X and Y are
(2, 6) and (6, 2).
X is either 2 or 6.
No unique solution can be found using statement B alone.
Hence, option 1.
Note: Negative integers are not considered as Even or Odd.
Example 12:
Question:
O is the centre of two concentric circles. ae is a chord of the outer circle and it
intersects the inner circle at points b and d. c is a point on the chord in between b
and d. What is the value of ac/ce?
Statements:
A.
bc/cd = 1
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B. A third circle intersects the inner circle at b and d and the point c is on the line
joining the centres of the third circle and the inner circle.
[CAT 2000]
Solution:
bc = cd
If c is the midpoint of bd it would also be midpoint of ae because circles are
concentric.
ac = ce
The question can be answered using statement A alone.

Using Statement B alone:
If c is the point on the line joining the two centres, it has to bisect the chord bd.
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c will also bisect the chord ae as the circles are concentric.

ac = ce
The question can be answered using statement B alone also.
Hence, option 2.
Example 13:
Question:
Is Country X's GDP higher than country Y's GDP?
Statements:
A. GDPs of the countries X and Y have grown over the past five years at
compounded annual rates of 5% and 6% respectively.
B.
Five years ago, GDP of country X was higher than that of country Y.
[CAT 2001]
Solution:
Statement A does not give us the actual values of their GDPs 5 years ago.
Statement A is insufficient.
We know that GDP of country X is greater than that of Y but we do not know by
how much it is greater.
Even after combining both the statements the question cannot be answered.
Hence, option 4.
Example 14:
Question:
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There are two straight lines in the x-y plane with equations ax + by = c, dx + ey = f.
Do the two straight lines intersect?
Statements:
A.
a, b, c, d, e and f are distinct real numbers.
B.
c and f are non-zero.
[CAT 2001]
Solution:
Statement A implies that a, b, c, d, e, f are distinct real numbers.
then the lines may be parallel and might not intersect at all.
Statement B implies that the lines do not pass through the origin.
Statement B is also not sufficient.
Even after combining both the statements the above condition is not clear.
We cannot be sure whether the lines intersect or are parallel.
Hence, option 4.
Example 15:
Question:
Triangle PQR has angle PRQ equal to 90 degrees. What is the value of PR + RQ?
Statements:
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A.
Diameter of the inscribed circle of the triangle PQR is equal to 10 cm.
B.
Diameter of the circumscribed circle of the triangle PQR is equal to 18 cm.
[CAT 2000]
Solution:
PF = PR FR = PR OD = PR 5
QD = QR DR = QR OF = QR 5
PE = PF and QE = QD
PE = PR 5 and QE = QR 5
PQ = PE + QE = PR 5 + QR 5
PR + QR = PQ + 10
This statement alone is not sufficient to find PR + RQ.

Diameter of the circumscribing circle = hypotenuse of the triangle
PQ = 18
PR2 + RQ2 = PQ2
But this does not give the value of PR + RQ.
This statement alone is not sufficient.
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Considering both the statements together,

PR + QR = PQ + 10 = 18 + 10 = 28
Hence, option 3.
Example 16:
Question:
Statements:
A.
B.
One of the roots of the equation 4x2
4x + 1 = 0 is a
[CAT 2003 Leaked Test]

Solution:
R.H.S. and L.H.S. are infinite GPs
We need to find whether
This statement (i) is always true for a < 1.

3
But a may or may not be less than 2.

So, statement A alone is not sufficient to answer the question.
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4a2
4a + 1 = 0
(ii)
a = 1/2 < 1
So, statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Hence, option 1.
Example 17:
Question:
A game consists of tossing a coin successively. There is an entry fee of Rs. 10 and
an additional fee of Re. 1 for each toss of the coin. The game is considered to have
ended normally when the coin turns heads on two consecutive throws.In this case
the player is paid Rs. 100. Alternatively, the player can choose to terminate the
game prematurely after any of the tosses. Ram has incurred a loss of Rs. 50 by
playing this game. How many times did he toss the coin?
Statements:
A.
The game ended normally.
B.
The total number of tails obtained in the game was 138.

Solution:
Let the number of tosses be x.
Total amount spent by Ram after x tosses
= (10 + x
1)
= Rs. (10 + x)
We know that Ram incurs a loss of Rs. 50.
We have two cases to evaluate:
If the game ends normally then Ram's net loss
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= Rs. (10 + x)
Rs. 100
If he quits prematurely his loss = Rs. (10 + x)

Ram's net loss = (10 + x)
50 = (10 + x)
100
100
x = 140
Statement A is alone sufficient.
The number of tails = 138
If the game ends prematurely,
10 + x = 50
x = 40
But x
138
The game cannot have ended prematurely.

The game ended normally.
50 = (10 + x)
100
x = 140
Statement B alone is also sufficient.
Hence, option 2.
Example 18:
Question:
Each packet of SOAP costs Rs. 10. Inside each packet is a gift coupon labelled with
one of the letters S, O, A, and P. If a customer submits four such coupons that make
up the word SOAP, the customer gets a free SOAP packet.Ms. X kept buying packet
after packet of SOAP till she could get one set of coupons that formed the word
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SOAP. How many coupons with label P did she get in the above process?
Statements:
A.
The last label obtained by her was S and the total amount spent was Rs. 210.
B.
The total number of vowels obtained was 18.

Solution:
Using Statement A alone:
Also the last label obtained by her is S.

But this is not sufficient to get the number of Ps.
Using Statement B alone:
The number of Os and As is 18.
But this is also not individually sufficient to arrive at the required answer.
After combining both the statements A and B, we can conclude that 18 out of 21
coupons are Os and As and that the 21st is an S.
This means that the remaining two are Ps.
Hence, option 4.
Example 19:
Question:
Is 500 the average (arithmetic mean) score of the GMAT?
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Statements:
A.
Half of the people who take GMAT score above 500 and half of the people
score below 500.

B.
The highest GMAT score is 800 and the lowest score is 200.
[CAT 2002]
Solution:
This statement alone does not give sufficient information as we do not know how
much above/below 500 these students scored.
For example, if scores are 800, 750, 450 and 200,
then, average = (800 + 750 + 450 + 200)/4 = 550 500
If scores are 400, 300, 600 and 700, average = 500
Using this statement alone, we cannot say whether 500 is the average score of
GMAT.
Considering both statements together:
Even now, we cannot determine the average. (Again, the above example can be
used.)
Hence, option 4.
Example 20:
Question:
A dress was initially listed at a price that would have fetched the store a profit of
20% on the wholesale cost. What was the wholesale cost of the dress?
Statements:
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A.
After reducing the listed price by 10% the dress was sold for a net profit of 10
dollars.
B.
The dress was sold for 50 dollars.
[CAT 2002]
Solution:
Let 100x be the wholesale cost of the dress.
List price of the dress = 120x
Selling Price = 0.9
List Price = 0.9
120x = 108x
Now, Selling Price Cost Price = Profit

(108x)
(100x) = 10
x = 10/8
Wholesale Cost = 100x = Rs. 125
This gives the selling price of the dress but it is not mentioned whether any
discount is provided on the list price or not.
Hence, option 1.
Example 21:
Question:
Ravi spent less than Rs.75 to buy one kilogram each of potato, onion, and gourd.
Which one of the three vegetables bought was the costliest?
Statements:
A.
2 kg potato and 1 kg gourd cost less than 1 kg potato and 2 kg gourd.
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B. 1 kg potato and 2 kg onion together cost the same as 1 kg onion and 2 kg

gourd.
[CAT 2004]
Solution:
Let one kilogram of potatoes, onions and gourd cost Rs. p, Rs. o and Rs. g
respectively. Then p + o + g < 75.
2p + g < p + 2g
p<g
But, nothing is known about o.
p + 2o = o + 2g
o + p = 2g
The cost of 1 kg of gourd is the average of the costs of 1 kg potatoes and 1 kg
onions.
g is neither the costliest nor the cheapest.
But the costliest vegetable cannot be found.
Statement B is insufficient.
p < g and g is the average of p and o
o>g
Onions are the costliest.
Hence, option 3.
Example 22:
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Question:
Zakib spends 30% of his income on his childrens education, 20% on recreation
and 10% on healthcare. The corresponding percentages for Supriyo are 40%,
25%, and 13%. Who spends more on childrens education?
Statements:
A.
Zakib spends more on recreation than Supriyo.
B.
Supriyo spends more on healthcare than Zakib.
[CAT 2004]
Solution:
Let Zakibs and Supriyos incomes be z and s respectively.
0.2z > 0.25s
z>s
Zakib and Supriyo spend 0.3z and 0.4s on childrens education.

0.13s > 0.1z
Supriyo spends more than Zakib on childrens education.
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Statement B alone is sufficient.

Hence, option 1.

Example 23:
Question:
Statements:
A.
x3
9x2 + 27x
B.
x is less than y where 18, 24 and 6y form a right angled triangle with 6y as the
27 > 0
hypotenuse.
Solution:
x3
(x
x
9x2 + 27x
27 > 0
3)3 > 0
3>0
x>3
This does not give a unique value of x.
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Let z = 6y
Applying Pythagoras theorem, we get,
z2 = 182 + 242
Thus, z = 30
z = 6y = 30
y=5
But, x < y
i.e. x < 5
This does not give a unique value of x.
x > 3 and x < 5
i.e. 3 < x < 5
This also does not give a unique value of x, because x can take any real values
between 3 and 5. Do not assume that x is an integer here.
Hence, option 4.
Example 24:
Question:
Is xy an even number?
Statements:
A.
x is an odd number.
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B.
y is an odd number.
Solution:
x is an odd number. An Odd number raised to any number gives an odd number.
Thus, xy is an odd number. It is not even. The answer to the question is No.
Hence, option 1.
REMEMBER
In the previous example, after we found that statement A alone is sufficient, we
did not test the sufficiency of the data from statement B alone. This is because
of the fact that no option in the instruction set says both statements A and B
are individually sufficient.
Even if we test the sufficiency of the data from statement B alone, we find that
it is not sufficient.
EXPLANATION:
If x is even, then the number xy is even, but if x is odd, then xy is odd. Hence, a unique
answer cannot be determined using statement B alone.
Example 25:
Question:
The average weight of a class of 100 students is 45 kg. The class consists of two
sections, I and II, each with 50 students. The average weight, WI, of Section I is
smaller than the average weight, WII,of Section II. If the heaviest student, say
Deepak, of Section II is moved to Section I, and the lightest student, say Poonam, of
Section I is moved to Section II, then the average weights of the two sections are
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switched, i.e., the average weight of Section I becomes WII and that of Section II
becomes WI. What is the weight of Poonam?
Statements:
A.
WII WI = 1.0
B.
Moving Deepak from Section II to I (without any move from I to II) makes the
average weights of the two sections equal.

[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let the weights of Deepak and Poonam be d and p respectively.
(50WII + 50WI)/100 = 45
WII + WI = 90
...(i)
50WI + d p = 50WII
50WII d + p = 50WI
50(WII WI) = d p
....(ii)

WII WI = 1
...(iii)
From (i), (ii) and (iii)

WI and WII can be found. Also, d p = 50
...(iv)
However this information does not give us the value of p. Statement A is

insufficient to answer the question.
WI = WII = (SumI + d)/51 = (SumII d)/49
49(SumI) + 49d = 51(SumII) 51d
100d = 51(50WII) 49(50WI)
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2d = 51WII 49WI
...(v)
This alone cannot help us find the value of p. Statement B is insufficient to answer
the question.
Considering both statements together, we have values of WI and WII, which can be
substituted in (v) to find d, which can be used to find p using (iv).
Hence, option 3.
Example 26:
Question:
Rahim plans to draw a square JKLM with a point O on the side JK but is not
successful. Why is Rahim unable to draw the square?
Statements:
A.
The length of OM is twice that of OL.
B.
The length of OM is 4 cm.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let p be the side of square JKLM.
From Statement A,
OM = 2
OL
OM is maximum when it is the diagonal of the square and has length

When OM is maximum, OM =
OM 2
OL
OL if O lies on JK.
Rahim is unable to draw the square.

Statement B offers no additional or relevant information.
Hence, option 1.
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Data Sufficiency
Example 27:
Question:
ABC Corporation is required to maintain at least 400 Kilolitres of water at all times
in its factory, in order to meet safety and regulatory requirements. ABC is
considering the suitability of a spherical tank with uniform wall thickness for the
purpose. The outer diameter of the tank is 10 meters. Is the tank capacity adequate
to meet ABCs requirements?
Statements:
A.
The inner diameter of the tank is at least 8 meters.
B.
The tank weighs 30,000 kg when empty, and is made of a material with density
of 3 gm/cc.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let the inner radius be r meter.
Capacity of tank = (1 m3 = 1 kilolitre)
Since r
4m
Capacity of tank > 256 m3

Since the capacity needed is more than 256 m3 statement A is insufficient.
Volume of the material of tank = mass/density = 30000kg/(3 gm/cc) = 10,000,000
cm3 = 10 m3
Hence the inner volume of tank =
Outer volume Volume of material of tank
Therefore, we can say that the tank capacity is adequate.

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Data Sufficiency
Hence, option 2.
Directions for the examples 28 and 29:

Mark (1) if Statement A alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Mark (2) if Statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Mark (3) if Statement A and Statement B together are sufficient, but neither of the two
alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Mark (4) if either Statement A or Statement B alone is sufficient to answer the
question.
Mark (5) if both Statement A and Statement B are insufficient to answer the question.
Example 28:
In the trapezoid PQRS, PS is parallel to QR. PQ and SR are extended to meet at A.
What is the value of
PAS?
Statements:
A.
PQ = 3, RS = 4 and
B.
PS = 10, QR = 5.
QPS = 60 .
[XAT 2010]
Solution:
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Data Sufficiency
QPM is a 30-60-90 triangle
Statement A is sufficient to answer the question.

PS = 10 and QR = 5
This statement is not sufficient to answer the question.
Hence, option 1.
Example 29:
A sequence of positive integer is defined as An+1 = An2+1 for each n
0. What is
the value of Greatest Common Divisor of A900 and A1000?

Statements:
A.
A0 = 1
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Data Sufficiency
B.
A1 = 2<
Solution:

A0 = 1
A1 = 12 + 1 = 2
A2 = 22 + 1 = 5
A3 = 52 + 1 = 26
Proceeding thus, we can find A900 and A1000 and hence their GCD.
Statement A is sufficient.
A1 = 2
A2 = 22 + 1 = 5
A3 = 52 + 1 =26
Thus, A900 and A1000 and hence their GCD can be found.
Statement B is also sufficient.
Hence, option 4.
VI. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON REASONING

Directions for the examples 30 to 34:
36/69
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Data Sufficiency

Example 30:
Question:
Four friends A, B, C and D like to collect one out of caps, shirts, jeans and shorts
and each one of them likes to eat one of the food items jelly, juice, ice-cream and
chocolate. No two people like the same thing. Nobody likes to collect garments and
eat food items the names of which start with the same letter. A does not like any
food item with a name starting with J. If D likes to collect caps, who likes to eat
jelly?
Statements:
A.
B likes juice.
B.
C likes jeans.
Solution:
A
Garment (like)
D
Caps
Garment (not like)

Food item (like)
Food item (not like) Jelly, Juice
Juice
Chocolate
We cannot find out who out of C and D likes Jelly from this data.
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Data Sufficiency
Garment (like)
Jeans
Caps
Garment (not like)

Food item (like)
Jelly, Juice Chocolate
We cannot find out who out of B and D likes Jelly from this data.
A
Garment (like)
Jeans
Caps
Garment (not like)

Food item (like)
Juice
Jelly, Juice Chocolate
Here, we realize that if B likes juice and A and C do not like jelly, then D has to like
jelly.
Both the Statements A and B together are sufficient.
Hence, option 4.
Example 31:
Question:
A and B play carom with 9 white, 9 black and one red disc. Each white disc
obtained gives the player 20 points, while each black disc gives 10 points and the
red disc gives 50 points. While playing the game, last 3 discs left on the board were
one black disc, one white disc and one red disc. The player who scores more wins.
Who won the game?
Statements:
A.
Of the last 3 discs, A was able to obtain only the black disc.
B.
When only last 3 discs left on the board, A had obtained all the other white
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Data Sufficiency
discs.
Solution:
We cannot infer anything from this statement regarding the total scores of the two
players.
A had obtained all 8 white discs.
So, score of A is at least 8
20 = 160
Now, if B gets all the other discs, his score becomes 10
9 + 20
1 + 50
1 = 160
In this case, no one wins, but if score of A is more than 160, he will win.
A has won 8 white discs and at least 1 black disc.
So, his score is at least 20
8 + 10
1 = 170.
If B wins all the other discs, i.e. 8 black discs, 1 white disc and 1 red disc, his total
score will be at most 8 10 + 1 20 + 1 50 = 150, which is less than As
minimum score.
Thus, A won the game.
Both the Statements A and B together are sufficient.
Hence, option 4.
Example 32:
Question:
A, B, C, D, E and F are arranged in ascending order according to their heights from
left to right in a row, leftmost being the shortest person. Where is E standing if two
39/69
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Data Sufficiency
out of these six people are equal in height?

Statements:
A.
E and F are the only two persons to the right of A.
B.
E is one of the two people who are equal in height.
Solution:
There are two possible combinations:
_
or

We cannot infer anything about the position of E from this statement.
Now, E is next to A or F. So, if E and A are equal in height, then the possible
combination is given below.
_
If E and F are equal in height, there are two possible combinations possible.
_
and
Yet, the exact position of E cannot be determined.

Hence, option 5.
Example 33:
Question:
In a football match, at half-time, Mahindra and Mahindra Club was trailing by three
40/69
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Data Sufficiency
goals. Did it win the match?

Statements:
A.
In the second half Mahindra and Mahindra Club scored four goals.
B.
The opponent scored four goals in the match.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
The MM club scored 4 goals in the second half. The number of goals scored by the
opponent is not known. So the winner cannot be determined. Statement A is
insufficient.
The opponent scored 4 goals in the match, but we do not know the number of
goals that the MM club scored. Statement B is insufficient.
Considering both the statements we have the following.
Thus, MM club could have won the match or could have tied it. The question cannot
be answered.
Hence, option 5.
Example 34:
In a single elimination tournament, any player is eliminated with a single loss. The
tournament is played in multiple rounds subject to the following rules:
a. If the number of players, say n, in any round is even, then the players are
grouped into n/2 pairs. The players in each pair play a match against each other
and the winner moves on to the next round.
41/69
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Data Sufficiency
b. If the number of players, say n, in any round is odd, then one of them is given a
bye, that is, he automatically moves on to the next round. The remaining (n 1)
players are grouped into (n
1)/2 pairs. The players in each pair play a match
against each other and the winner moves on to the next round. No player gets
more than one bye in the entire tournament.
Thus, if n is even, then n/2 players move on to the next round while if n is odd,
then (n + 1)/2 players move on to the next round. The process is continued till the
final round, which obviously is played between two players. The winner in the final
round is the champion of the tournament.
[CAT 2008]
Question 1:
What is the number of matches played by the champion?
Statements:
A.
The entry list for the tournament consists of 83 players.
B.
The champion received one bye.
Solution:
The entry list for the tournament consists of 83 players.
In round 1, 1 of the 83 players gets a bye and directly moves on to the next round.
42 players move on to round 2.
Similarly, 21 players move on to round 3, 11 players move on to round 4, 6 players
move on to round 5, 3 players move on to round 6, 2 players move on to round 7.
The winner of the tournament would have played one match in each of the rounds;
i.e. a total of 7 matches, provided he doesnt get a bye.
However, we are not told whether or not the champion received a bye at some
point in the tournament.
We cannot answer the question on the basis of statement (A) alone.
The champion received one bye.
42/69
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Data Sufficiency
From this statement, we cannot find the number of matches played by the
champion.
We cannot answer the question on the basis of statement (B) alone.
Using both the statements (A) and (B) together:
The champion must have played 7 matches if he did not receive any bye.
But it is given that the champion has got one bye in the tournament. He must
have played only 6 matches.
We can answer the question using both the statements (A) and (B) together.
Hence, option 4.
Question 2:
If the number of players, say n, in the first round was between 65 and 128, then
what is the exact value of n?
Statements:
A.
Exactly one player received a bye in the entire tournament.
B. One player received a bye while moving on to the fourth round from the third
round.
Solution:
Exactly 1 player received a bye in the entire tournament. We get many values of n
between 65 and 128 that satisfy this condition.
For example, n can have the value 124 in round 1, to follow the pattern, [124-6231-16-8-4-2-1].
Also, n can have the value 127 in round 1, to follow the pattern, [127-64-32-16-84-2-1].
We cannot answer the question on the basis of statement A alone.
One player received a bye while moving on to the fourth round from the third
43/69
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Data Sufficiency
round.
Here also, we get multiple values of n.
For example, n can have the value 124 in round 1, where 1 player received a bye
while moving from round 3 to round 4 following the pattern, [124-62-31-16-8-4-21].
Also, n can have the value 122 in round 1, where 1 player received a bye while
moving from round 3 to round 4 following the pattern,
[122-61-31-16-8-4-2-1].
We cannot answer the question on the basis of statement (B) alone.
Using statements (A) and (B) together:
n can only have the value 124 in round 1, where exactly 1 player received a bye
while moving from round 3 to round 4 following the pattern [124-62-31-16-8-4-21].
We can answer the question using both the statements (A) and (B) together.
Hence, option 4.
Note: An analysis of how 124 was arrived at when using both conditions together:
Let the number of players in the first round be n. Since only one player gets a bye,
and that too when moving from the third to the fourth round, hence we have the
following conditions:
1. There will be n players in the first round, where n is even.
2. There will be n/2 players in the second round, where n/2 is even.
3. There will be n/4 players in the third round, where n/4 is odd.
round,
5. All numbers of players in the subsequent rounds should also be even.

From condition 4, we can conclude that:
44/69
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Data Sufficiency
Hence, n = 16k 4; so, within the given range, n could be 76 or 92 or 108 or 124.
Writing the pattern for each of the above possible values of n, we have:
76: [76-38-19-10-5-3-2-1]
92: [92-46-23-12-6-3-2-1]
108: [108-54-27-14-7-4-2-1]
124: [124-62-31-16-8-4-2-1]
We see that only 124 satisfies condition 5.

following instructions
Choose 1 if the question can be answered by using one of the statements alone but not
by using the other statement alone.
Choose 2 if the question can be answered by using either of the statements alone.
Choose 3 if the question can be answered by using both statements together but not by
either statement alone.
Choose 4 if the question cannot be answered on the basis of the two statements.
Example 35:
Question:
In a class of 30 students, Rashmi secured the third rank among the girls, while her
brother Kumar studying in the same class secured the sixth rank in the whole class.
Between the two, who had a better overall rank?
Statements:
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Data Sufficiency
A. Kumar was among the top 25% of the boys merit list in the class in which 60%
were boys.
B.
There were three boys among the top five rank holders, and three girls
among the top ten rank holders.

[CAT 2007]
Solution:
There were 60% of 30 = 18 boys in the class.
Kumars rank among boys
[0.25
18] or 4
If Kumars rank among boys = 4, there are 2 girls in the first 6 rankers.
Rashmis rank is lower than Kumars.
If Kumars rank among boys is 3, 2 or 1, there are 3, 4 or 5 girls in the first 6
rankers.
Rashmis rank is higher than Kumars.
There were three boys in the top 5 and Kumar was 6th.
There were 4 boys and 2 girls in the top 6.
Rashmi was not in the top six.
Kumar had a better overall rank.
Statement B is sufficient.
Hence, option 1.
Example 36:
Question:
Four candidates for an award obtain distinct scores in a test. Each of the four casts
46/69
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Data Sufficiency
a vote to choose the winner of the award. The candidate who gets the largest
number of votes wins the award. In case of a tie in the voting process, the
candidate with the highest score wins the award. Who wins the award?
Statements:
A.
The candidates with the top three scores each vote for the top scorer amongst
the other three.

B. The candidate with the lowest score votes for the player with the second
highest score.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let A, B, C and D get the highest to lowest scores in that order.
Consider statement A: A votes for B, B votes for A and C votes for A.
If D votes for A, A wins.
If D votes for B, there is a tie between A and B and A wins as he has the highest
score.
If D votes for C/D, A wins.
Consider statement B: D votes for B. This statement alone is not sufficient.
Hence, option 1.
Example 37:
Question:
Nandini paid for an article using currency notes of denominations Re. 1, Rs. 2, Rs.
5, and Rs. 10 using at least one note of each denomination. The total number of five
and ten rupee notes used was one more than the total number of one and two
rupee notes used. What was the price of the article?
Statements:
A.
Nandini used a total of 13 currency notes.
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Data Sufficiency
B.
The price of the article was a multiple of Rs. 10.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let Nandini use a, b, c and d notes of denominations 1, 2, 5 and 10 respectively.
Then c + d = a + b + 1 and price of the article = a + 2b + 5c + 10d
a + b + c + d = 13
2(a + b) + 1 = 13
a + b = 6, c + d = 7
Price of the article cannot be found from this data.
a + 2b + 5c + 10d = 10k
As a, b, c, d
k
1, 10k
18
But, statement B is also insufficient.

We know that a + b = 6, c + d = 7 and Price = 10k
When c = 2 and d = 5, Price = a + 2b + 60
When c = 4 and d = 3, Price = a + 2b + 50
Even if we assume that there is only one value of (a, b) such that a + 2b is a
multiple of 10, we will still get at least 2 values for the price of the article.
Hence, data is insufficient.
Hence, option 4.
48/69
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Data Sufficiency
Example 38:
Question:
Tarak is standing 2 steps to the left of a red mark and 3 steps to the right of a blue
mark. He tosses a coin. If it comes up heads, he moves one step to the right;
otherwise he moves one step to the left. He keeps doing this until he reaches one
of the two marks, and then he stops. At which mark does he stop?
Statements:
A.
He stops after 21 coin tosses.
B.
He obtains three more tails than heads.
[CAT 2007]
Solution:
Let Tarak get h heads and t tails.
Let Tarak be at 0 on the number line.
Then the blue mark is at 3 and the red mark is at 2.
h + t = 21 and
h t = 2 (if he stops at the red mark) or
h t = 3 (if he stops at the blue mark)
Solving, 2h = 23 (however, this is not possible)
or 2h = 18
h = 9 and t = 12
Tarak stops at the blue mark.
Statement A is sufficient.
Consider statement B:
h = t 3 and h t = 2 or h t = 3
He stops at the blue mark.
49/69
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Data Sufficiency
Statement B is also sufficient.

Hence, option 2.
Example 39:
Question:
F and M are father and mother of S, respectively. S has four uncles and three aunts.
F has two siblings. The siblings of F and M are unmarried. How many brothers
does M have?
Statements:
A.
F has two brothers.
B.
M has five siblings.

Solution:
F and M have a total of four brothers and three sisters.
Statement A states that F has two brothers, which means M should have two
brothers.
Statement A is alone sufficient.
Statement B is redundant as no additional information is provided.
Hence, option 1.
Example 40:
Question:
Members in a club either speak French or Russian or both. Find the number of
members in the club who speak only French.
Statements:
A.
There are 300 members in the club and the number of members who speak
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Data Sufficiency
both French and Russian is 196.

B.
The number of members who speak only Russian is 58.
[CAT 2002]
Solution:
Let F represent the set of members speaking French and R represent the set of
members speaking Russian.
Also, let x represent the number of members speaking only French.
Here, total number of members = 300

Number of members who speak only French
= 300 196 x = 104 x
However, we cannot find the value of x.
Consider statement B:
We are given that the number of members speaking Russian = 58
Consider both statements together:
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Data Sufficiency
We have, 104 x = 58
Number of members speaking only French, x = 104 58 = 46
The question can be answered using both statements together.
Hence, option 3.
Example 41:
Question:
In a hockey match, the Indian team was behind by 2 goals with 5 minutes
remaining. Did they win the match?
Statements:
A.
Deepak Thakur, the Indian striker scored 3 goals in the last 5 minutes of the
match.
B.
Korea scored a total of 3 goals in the match.
[CAT 2002]
Solution:
From statement A alone, it is not clear whether Korea too scored in the last 5
minutes or not.
From statement B alone, it is not clear whether India scored in the last 5 minutes
or not.
Using both the statements, there are two cases possible:
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Data Sufficiency
Case 1:
Before the last 5 minutes In the last 5 minutes Final Score
India
Korea 2
In this case, the match ended in a draw.

Case 2:
Before the last 5 minutes In the last 5 minutes Final Score
India
Korea 3
In this case, India wins the match.

Even after combining both the statements, we cannot say whether India won the
match or not.
Hence, option 4.
Example 42:
Question:
On a given day a boat ferried 1500 passengers across the river in twelve hours.
How many round trips did it make?
Statements:
A.
The boat can carry two hundred passengers at any time.
B.
It takes 40 minutes each way and 20 minutes of waiting time at each terminal.
[CAT 2001]
Solution:
Statement A only gives the maximum capacity of the boat.
The number of trips cannot be calculated.
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Data Sufficiency

Time required to make one round trip = 40 + 40 + 40 = 120 minutes = 2 hours
The total number of trips made = 12/2 = 6
Statement B alone is sufficient to answer the question.
Hence, option 1.
Example 43:
Question:
For any two real numbers
a
b = 1 if both a and b are positive or both a and b are negative.
= 1 if one of the two numbers a and b is positive and the other negative.
What is (2
0)
(5
6)?
Statements:
A.
b is zero if a is zero.
B.
b=b
[CAT 2000]
Solution:
(2
0)
(5
6) = (2
0)

(0
2) = 0 but we dont know the value of (2
0).

(2
0) = (0
2)
54/69
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Data Sufficiency
Statement B alone is not sufficient to answer the question.

After combining both the statements, we get,
(2
0) = (0
2) = 0
(2
0)
(5
= (2
0)
=0
6)
=0
Both the statements are required to answer the question.
Hence, option 3.
Directions for example 44:

Choose 1, if the question can be answered by using statement A alone but not by using
B alone.
Choose 2, if the question can be answered by using statement B alone but not by using
A alone.
Choose 3, if the question can be answered by using either statement alone.
Choose 4, if the question can be answered by using both the statements together but
not by either statement.
Example 44:
Question:
In a cricket match, the man of the match award is given to the player scoring the
highest number of runs. In case of a tie, the player (out of those locked in the tie)
who has taken the higher number of catches is chosen. Even thereafter if there is a
tie, the player (out of those locked in the tie) who has dropped fewer catches is
selected. Aakash, Biplab and Chirag who were contenders for the award dropped
at least one catch each. Biplab dropped 2 catches more than Aakash did, scored 50,
and took 2 catches. Chirag got two chances to catch and dropped both. Who was
the man of the match?
Statements:
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Data Sufficiency
A.
Chirag made 15 runs less than both Aakash and Biplab.
B.
The catches dropped by Biplab are 1 more than the catches taken by Aakash.
[CAT 2003 Retest]

Solution:

We get the table as shown above :
We do not know the number of catches taken by Aakash.
Statement B does not give any information about the runs scored.
After combining both the statements, we get,
Number of catches taken by Aakash = x + 1
If x = 1 then Aakash is man of the match since he has dropped fewer catches.
If x > 1 then Aakash will be the man of the match as he has taken more catches.
Hence, option 4.
VII. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON DATA INTERPRETATION

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Data Sufficiency

The following graphs show the sales (in crores) and production (in thousands) of
company XYZ which manufactures a particular car. The company was initiated in the
year 1999 and the data provided is for the period 1999 - 2002. Carry over
inventory cost is the cost incurred in storing the unsold vehicles manufactured in
previous years in a warehouse.
Example 45:
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Data Sufficiency
Question:
What is the price of each car in the year 2000?
Statements:
A.
Half the cars produced in the year 1999 were not sold in the year 1999.
B. Half the quantity of cars available for sale in the year 2000 was not sold in the
year 2000.
Solution:
We can find the total number of cars available in the year 2000 for sale (= cars
manufactured in the year 2000 + Half of the cars manufactured in the year 1999)
But, we dont know exactly how many of these cars were sold in the year 2000.
Thus, we dont know the price of each car.
We do not know how many cars were available in the year 2000 for sale as it
depends on the number of unsold cars in 1999.
Statement A gives the total number of cars available in year 2000 for sale.
Of these, as per statement B, half were not sold.
So, we can find the number of cars sold in the year 2000.
We also know the total sales of XYZ in the year 2000 from the graph.
Thus, we can find the price of each car in the year 2000.
Hence, option 4.
58/69
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Data Sufficiency
Example 46:
Question:
What is the percentage increase/decrease in carry over inventory cost in the year
2001 over the year 2000, if the carry over inventory cost of storing one car for
one year is Rs. 1,000?
Statements:
A.
All cars produced in the year 2001 were sold in the year 2001.
B.
All cars produced in the year 2000 were sold in the year 2000.
Solution:
The number of cars produced and sold in the year 2001 gives no idea of the
unsold cars in previous years and thus does not give us any relevant information.
Carry over inventory cost in the year 2000 = 1000
the year 1999 but not sold in 1999.
Number of cars produced in
Carry over inventory cost in the year 2001 = 1000
Number of cars produced in
the year 1999 but not sold in the year 1999 as well as in 2000.
We do not know how many unsold cars of the year 1999 were sold in the year
2000. Thus, we cannot find the difference in the carry over inventory cost.
This gives us no extra information than statement B alone, since statement A is
redundant and does not provide any useful information.
Both the statements A and B together are also not sufficient.
Hence, option 5.
59/69
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Data Sufficiency
Example 47:
Question:
What is the productivity of each machine used by company XYZ in the year 1999
where each machine is equally productive?
Statements:
A.
Company XYZ used 15 machines to manufacture cars in year 1999.
B. Company XYZ had 72 holidays in the year 1999 and all the machines were
being used on the remaining days for 8 hours each.
Solution:
No information is given about the time.
So, we cannot find the productivity of each machine in the year 1999.
No information is given about the number of machines.
So, we cannot find the productivity of each machine in year 1999.
Since we know the number of machines and the number of cars produced by each
machine (as we know the total number of cars produced in year 1999 from graph),
and the time each machine was working for. Hence, we can find the productivity of
each machine in the year 1999.
Hence, option 4.
Directions for example 48:

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Data Sufficiency
Example 48:
Question:
A survey was conducted on 100 people about their choice of beverages. How many
females preferred only tea if everyone preferred at least one of the two beverages,
tea or coffee?
Statements:
A. Number of males drinking tea = Number of people who drink only coffee =
(1/2) Number of people who drink only tea
B.
Number of females drinking tea
Number of males drinking tea = 10
Solution:
Let us consider the following two Venn diagrams.
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Data Sufficiency
As no one dislikes both tea and coffee, d = 0

a + b + c = 100
And, p + q + r + s = 100
(i)
We have to find out how many females preferred only tea, i.e. the value of p.
Number of people drinking tea = a + b = p + q
Number of males drinking tea = q
Number of people who drink only coffee
=c=r+s
(ii)
Number of people who drink only tea = a

q = c = a/2
(iii)
From equations (i), (ii) and (iii) we get,

p + a = 100
(iv)
Thus, this statement alone does not give us the value of p.

p
q = 10
(v)
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Data Sufficiency
Thus, this statement alone does not give us the value of p.

However from (iii), (iv) and (v), it is possible to find the value of p.
Hence, option 4.
REMEMBER
In the above question, since neither of the statements A or B alone is sufficient,
the correct option is (4). We need not have to check the sufficiency of the data
with both the statements A and B together, because there is no option
corresponding to the case when data is insufficient and the question cannot be
answered.
This type of DS is known as guaranteed answer variety.
VIII. DS EXAMPLES WITH OTHER VARIETIES OF INSTRUCTION SETS
Example 49:
The following information is given about a four sided polygon.
I.
II.
The polygon is a rectangle.

The area of the polygon is given to be 100 m2.
III.
One side of the polygon is 8 m.
IV.
All the adjacent sides are at right angle to each other.
Which of the above facts are sufficient to determine the dimensions of the
polygon?
(1) II and III
(2) II, III, and IV
(3) I, III, and IV
(4) I and II
[JMET 2008]
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Data Sufficiency
Solution:
Both statements I and IV have the same implication. Also, statements II and III are
definitely required to find the other dimensions.
So, either statements I, II, III or statements II, III, IV are required to determine the
dimensions of the polygon.
Hence, option 2.
Example 50:
Study the questions and the statements given below. Decide whether any
information provided in the statement(s) is redundant and/or can be dispensed
with, to answer it.
If 7 is added to numerator and denominator each of fraction a/b, will the new
fraction be less than the original one?
Statement I: a = 73, b = 103
Statement II: The average of a and b is less than b
Statement III: a
5 is greater than b
(1) II and either I or III
(2) Only II or III
(3) Any two of them
(4) Any one of them
[SNAP 2008]
Solution:
7b 7a < 0 and b(b + 7) > 0 OR 7b 7a > 0 and

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Data Sufficiency
b(b + 7) < 0
b < a and b > 0
(i)
Or
b < a and b < 7
(ii)
Or
b > a and 7 < b < 0
(iii)
Statement I:
a = 73 and b = 103
b > a, but 7
Statement II:
The average of a and b is less than b.
a < b, but nothing is known about the value of b.
This statement does not give us enough information to answer the question.
Statement III:
a5>b5
a > b, but nothing is known about the value of b.
This statement does not give us enough information to answer the question.
Statements II and III can be dispensed with.
Hence, option 2.
Note:
In the actual SNAP 2008 paper, the correct option was not present. We have
changed the second option in the paper from Only I and II to Only II and III, in
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Data Sufficiency
order to make a correct option available for the students to mark.
Directions for examples 51 and 52:

Select the appropriate answer from the options given below.
1. Using the given statement, only conclusion I can be derived.
2. Using the given statement, only conclusion II can be derived.
3. Using the given statement, only conclusion III can be derived.
4. Using the given statement, all conclusions can be derived.
5. Using the given statement, none of the three conclusions I, II and III can be derived.
Example 51:
A0, A1, A2, is a sequence of numbers with A0 = 1, A1 = 3 and At = (t + 1)A(t 1)
t(A(t 2)) for t = 2, 3, 4,
Conclusion I. A8 = 77
Conclusion II. A10 = 121
Conclusion III. A12 = 145
[XAT 2008]
Solution:
A0 = 1 and A1 = 3
A1 A0 = 2
A2 = 3
1=7
A2 A1 = 4 = 2
A3 = 4
2=2
(A1 A0)
3 = 19
A3 A2 = 12 = 3
(A2 A1)
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Data Sufficiency
A4 = 5
19
7 = 67
A4 A3 = 48 = 4
(A3 A2)
A5 = 307
We can observe a pattern which is followed by the terms of the sequence,
According to the pattern we observe that the value of the terms is increasing and
as 307 is greater than the given value of A8, A10 and A12 in the conclusions, we can
say that none of the conclusions can be derived.
Hence, option 5.
Example 52:
A, B, C be real numbers satisfying A < B < C, A + B + C = 6 and AB + BC + CA = 9
Conclusion I. 1 < B < 3
Conclusion II. 2 < A < 3
Conclusion III. 0 < C < 1
Solution:
A+B+C=6
C=6AB
AB + B(6 A B) + A(6 A B) = 9
AB + 6B AB B2 + 6A A2 AB = 9
A2 + B2
6B
6A + AB + 9 = 0
A2 + A (B 6) + B2 6B + 9 = 0
If we consider this equation in terms of A, then
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Data Sufficiency
But we can also substitute A in terms of C initially.

We will get same equation in C and C will also have same roots.
To satisfy the condition A < B < C,
Adding (B 6) to all sides,
Squaring both sides, we get

(3B 6)2 <
3B2 + 12B
9B2 36B + 36 <
3B2 + 12B
12B2 48B +36 < 0

B2 4B + 3 < 0
(B 3) (B 1) < 0
1<B<3
Hence, Conclusion I is valid.
Conclusion II is not valid because if A > 2 then B and C also have to be greater than
2.
A + B + C = 6 is not satisfied.
Conclusion III is also not valid, because if C < 1 then A and B will also be less than 1.
A + B + C = 6 is not satisfied.
Only conclusion I can be derived.
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Data Sufficiency
Hence, option 1.
REVISION OF IMPORTANT POINTS:

DS questions can be asked from Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning or Data
Interpretation.
Students should read the instructions very carefully, before starting to solve
the DS questions. The order of instructions to mark the correct answer can be
different from those discussed here or the instructions can also change
completely.
Do not try to solve the DS questions to get the final answer of the question
unless it is required. Just check for the sufficiency of the data given.
Only a unique answer from a single statement is acceptable.
No is as good an answer as Yes.
********************************* End of Lesson *********************************
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10/10/2013

A. ONLY A UNIQUE ANSWER FROM A SINGLE STATEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.

IV. HOW TO APPROACH DS QUESTIONS

II. TYPES OF DS QUESTIONS

It is very obvious that, using statement A alone or using statement B alone, we

Let us take another example.

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

x is a positive composite number less than 5.

III. RULES FOR DS QUESTIONS

A. ONLY A UNIQUE ANSWER FROM A SINGLE STATEMENT IS

B. TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM TWO DIFFERENT STATEMENTS

C. NO IS AS GOOD AN ANSWER AS YES.

IV. HOW TO APPROACH DS QUESTIONS

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

V. DS EXAMPLES BASED ON QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE

The race track is of 100 meters.

faster than Joe.

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

y) greater than (x + y)?

x and y are negative fractions.

x and y are positive integers.

y) > x and (x + y) < x

y) is greater than (x + y). The answer to the question is Yes.

Statement A alone is sufficient.

y) is not greater than (x + y). The answer to the question is No.

Statement B alone is also sufficient.

Directions for examples 9 to 22:

Selling price is 130% of cost price.

20% discount is offered by the shopkeeper.

Using statement A and B together:

Average of the marks scored by P, Q, and R is same as the average of marks

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

The question can be answered using statement A alone.

c will also bisect the chord ae as the circles are concentric.

a, b, c, d, e and f are distinct real numbers.

c and f are non-zero.

Diameter of the inscribed circle of the triangle PQR is equal to 10 cm.

Diameter of the circumscribed circle of the triangle PQR is equal to 18 cm.

Using statement B alone:

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

Considering both the statements together,

One of the roots of the equation 4x2

[CAT 2003 Leaked Test]

We need to find whether

This statement (i) is always true for a < 1.

But a may or may not be less than 2.

Using statement B alone:

The game ended normally.

The total number of tails obtained in the game was 138.

[CAT 2003 Leaked Test]

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

If he quits prematurely his loss = Rs. (10 + x)

The game cannot have ended prematurely.

The total number of vowels obtained was 18.

[CAT 2003 Leaked Test]

Also the last label obtained by her is S.

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

score below 500.

file:///G:/Ebooks by Ashish Khairkar/Data Sufficiency.mht

The dress was sold for 50 dollars.

List Price = 0.9

Now, Selling Price Cost Price = Profit

2 kg potato and 1 kg gourd cost less than 1 kg potato and 2 kg gourd.