DATA

SUFFICIENCY

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 Data Sufficiency
Introduction
In Data Sufficiency, a question, followed by some statements, is given. You are required to determine
whether the data given in one or more statements is sufficient to answer the question. Then you have to
answer the question based on the given options. Remember that it is enough to conclude that the data
provided is sufficient to answer the given question or not. Do not waste time in trying to arrive at the final
answer as it is not asked.
Steps in solving Data Sufficiency questions:
(1) Find out whether the data given in the first statement is sufficient to answer the given question.
(2) If the first statement is not sufficient to answer the question, move on to the second statement and
determine whether the data given in the second statement is sufficient to answer the question.
(3) If you are unable to find the answer using either of the statements alone, try to find out if the two
statements combined together are sufficient to answer the question.
(4) Select an answer according to the given options.
Strategies for solving Data Sufficiency questions:
1. Understand and memorise the Data Sufficiency answer choices
The answer choices for Data Sufficiency questions generally do not change. Understanding and then
learning them will make attempting these questions easier. Let us understand the option statements.
Given Option Its Meaning
A. Statement 1 alone is sufficient to answer the question but Out of the given statement only
statement 2 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. statement 1 alone can answer the
question.
B. Statement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question but Out of the given statements only
statement 1 alone is not sufficient to answer the question. statement (2) alone can answer the
question.
C. Both the statements taken together are sufficient to answer The question can be solved only if the
the question, but neither of the statements alone is sufficient data given in both the statements is
to answer the question. used together. The question cannot be
solved using either of the statements
alone.
D. Either statement by itself is sufficient to answer the question. The question can be solved by using
any one of the statements alone.
E. Statements (1) and (2) taken together are not sufficient to The question cannot be solved even if
answer the question, requiring more. data pertaining to the we use the data given in both the
problem statements together.

What does it mean that a statement is “sufficient”?

‘Sufficient’ does not mean that a statement is right or true. It just means that the question can be solved
using that statement.

2. Assumptions are not allowed

Do not use general knowledge to solve Data Sufficiency questions.
Let us understand this with an example.
Example: Is Newyork the most populated city in the US?
Statement 1: The capital of the US is the most populated city in the US.
Statement 2: New York is the capital.
In this case, if you choose option C i.e., “Both the statements taken together are sufficient to answer the
question,” be careful, it is not given in statement 2 that New York is the capital of the US.
We can also see that statement 1 alone cannot answer the question, as it is not given that New York is the
capital of the US.
However, universal facts like mathematical principles can be used, as they are not general knowledge stuff.

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3. Elimination method
As you progress through each statement, you may eliminate options. Just solve for one of the statements and
the job is half done.
if statement 1 is sufficient: Eliminate choices B, C and E which require (1) to be insufficient.
if statement 1 is insufficient: Eliminate choices A and D, which require (1) to be sufficient.
if statement 2 is sufficient: Eliminate choices A, C and E which require (2) to be insufficient.
if statement 2 is insufficient: Eliminate choices B and D, which require (2) to be sufficient.

4. Analyze questions in terms of sufficiency

Do not think in terms of “What is exact value?”,“is this true or false?” Instead, review questions in terms of
one question, “is there enough information to answer the question?”
Look at each statement and ask yourself if it provides enough information to arrive at a conclusion.

Basic knowledge of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Coding and decoding, Series, Arrangements,
Clock and Calendar and other topics of Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning is a prerequisite to understand
this chapter. So, learn all the basic and necessary shortcut formulae related to above topics of Quantitative
Aptitude and Reasoning.

Solved Examples
Direction (1 - 5): Each question below is followed by two Statements I and II. You have to determine
whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the question. You should use the data
and your knowledge of Mathematics to choose between the possible answers.
Give answer
A. if the Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question but the Statement II alone is not sufficient
B. if the Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question but the Statement I alone is not sufficient
C. if both Statement I and II together are needed to answer the question
D. if either the Statement I alone or Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question
E. if you cannot get the answer from the Statements I and II together but need even more data

1. What is the speed of the car?

I. The car covers a distance of 135 km in 3 h. II. The car covers a distance of 270 km in 6 h.
Sol. D.; We know that, speed of car = Distance covered by it/ Time taken by it
From Statement I
Speed of the car = 135/3
= 45 km/h
From Statement II
Speed of car = 270/6
= 45 km/h 6
Thus, either only statement I alone on only statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.

2. What is the rate of interest percent per annum?

I. The amount doubles itself in 10 yr. II. The simple interest accured in 5 yr. is Rs.5000.
Sol. E.; From statement I
We cannot find R as we do not know the nature of interest, i.e. whether it is SI or CI.
From statement II,
SI= PRT/100
5000 = (P *R * 5)/ 100
PR = 100000
Thus, we cannot find the value of R using statement I and II.

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3. On which date of a particular year was Aryabhatta commissioned into the Earth’s orbit?
I. China’s secret services claim that it was between 7th and 10th of May.
II. The Japan’s space research scientists claim that it was between 5th and 10th May.
Solutions E.:
From Statement I:
Probable dates are: 8th or 9th May
From Statement II:
Probable dates are: 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th May.
From I and II together Probable dates are: 8th or 9th May.
So Answer is E.

4. How is Pratibha related to Suresh?

I. Suresh’s mother is Pratibha’s Mother-in-law.
II. Suresh is the only son of Sushila, who is Pratibha’s Mother-in-law.
Solutions B.:
From I: Mother of Suresh is mother-in-law of Pratibha. That means Suresh is either husband or brother-in-
law of Pratibha.
From II: Here, Suresh is husband of Pratibha because Suresh is the only son of Sushila.
So, Answer will be B.

5. Among Nitin, Amit, Sudesh and Sujata, who came last for the programme?
I. Nitin come after Amit but not after Sujata.
II. Rekha come after Sujata but not after Sudesh.
Solutions C.:
From Statement I: Amit > Nitin > Sujata
From Statement II: Sujata > Rekha > Sudesh
From I and II, we get Amit > Nitin > Sujata > Rekha > Sudesh
So, Answer is C.

Practice Questions
Direction (1 - 14): Each question below is followed by two Statements I and II. You have to determine
whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the question. You should use the data
and your knowledge of Mathematics to choose between the possible answers.
Give answer
A. if the Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question but the Statement II alone is not sufficient.
B. if the Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question but the Statement I alone is not sufficient.
C. if both Statement I and II together are needed to answer the question.
D. if either the Statement I alone or Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.
E. if you cannot get the answer from the Statements I and II together but need even more data.

1. What is Mini’s present age?

I. Mini is 3 yr. older than Priya. II. The ratio between Priya’s and Aishwary’s age is 3 : 4, respectively.

2. How many marks did Anand get in Biology?

I. Anand got 42 marks in English which were half the marks he got in Biology.
II. Anand’s marks in Biology were 14% of the total marks he got in all the subjects together.

3. In how many days 14 men can complete a piece of work?

I. If 18 women can complete the same piece of work in 24 days.
II. If 28 children can complete the same piece of work in 56 days.

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4. How many people are computer experts in the organisation?
I. Each computer expert must conduct atleast 3 programs related to computers.
II. Organisation conducts 30 programs related to computers.

5. What is the product of X and Y?

I. Y = X - 28 II. – 42 - 12 = X

6. What is the perimeter of the square?

I. The measure of one of its sides is given. II. The measure of its diagonal is given.

7. When one ball is drawn at random from an urn containing 25 balls, what is the chance that it is red?
I. The urn contains 10 yellow and 8 green balls. II. The urn contains all coloured balls.

8. What is the perimeter of the rectangle?

I. The area of the rectangle is 252 sq. m.
II. The ratio of length to breadth of the rectangle is 9 : 7, respectively.

9. What is the area of the circle?

I. The breadth of a rectangle is three-fourth the radius of the circle.
II. The radius of the circle is equal to the side of a square of area 144 sq cm.

10. What is the cost of three tables and two chairs?

I. Cost of four chairs is twice the cost of three tables.
II. Cost of two tables is equal to cost of one chair, i.e. Rs. 500

11. In country S, if 60% of the women are aged 18 and above are in the labour force, how many million
women are in the labour force?
I. In country S, women comprise 45% of the labour force.
II. In country S, there are no women below 18 yr of age in the labour force.

12. Kartik put 12 cards on a table, some face up and the rest face down. How many were put face down?
I. Kartik put an even number of the cards face up.
II. Kartik put twice as many of the cards face up as she put face down.

13. What is the value of n?

I. 3n + 2m = 18 II. n - m = 2n - (4+m)

14. Is w an integer?
I. 3w is an odd number. II. 2w is an even number

Directions (15-30): Each of the questions below consists of a question and two statements numbered I and
II given below it. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statements are sufficient to answer the
question. Read both the statements and give answer:
A. If the data in statement I alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement II alone
are not sufficient to answer the question;
B. If the data in statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question, while the data in statement I alone
are not sufficient to answer the question;
C. If the data either in statement I alone or in statement II alone are sufficient to answer the question;
D. If the data given in both statements I and II together are not sufficient to answer the question;
E. If the data in both statements I and II together are necessary to answer the question.

15. What does ‘$’ means in a code language?

I. ‘5$#3’ means ‘flowers are really good’. II. ‘7#35’ means ‘good flowers are available’.

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16. What is the numerical code for ‘water’ in a certain code?
I. The code for ‘give me water’ is ‘719’. II. The code for ‘you can bring water for me’ is ‘574186’.

17. What is the value of 144 $ 16 * 7 # 9?

I. $ means ÷, * means × and # means +. II. 1 6 $ 4 * 2 # 2 = 10.

18. What does ‘nip’ stand for in a code language?

I. In the code language, ‘ that is very beautiful’ is written as ‘se nip sre num’.
II. IN the same code language, ‘my house is beautiful’ is written as ‘nip sto sre tip’.

19. What is the code for ‘not’ in the code language?

I. In the code language ‘do not go’ is written as ‘la ra de’.
II. In the code language ‘go to school’ is written as ‘ka ma ra.’

20. How is ‘come’ written in a code language?

I. ‘come and go’ is written as ‘pit ka ja’ in that code language.
II. ‘go and tell’ is written as ‘ja ma ka’ in that code language.

21. Among M, N, D, P and K, who earns more than only the least earner among them?
I. N earns more than M and P but less than only D. II. M earns more than P who earns less than K.

22. Who among P, Q, R, S and T is the lightest?

I. R is heavier than Q and T but lighter than S. II. S is not the heaviest.

23. Mohan is taller than Kamal and Sharad is younger than Arvind. Who among them is the youngest?
I. Sharad is younger than Mohan. II. Arvind is younger than Kamal.

24. On a T.V. channel, four serials A, B, C and D were screened, one on each day, on four consecutive days
but not necessarily in that order. On which day was the serial C screened?
I. The first serial was screened on 23rd, Tuesday and was followed by serial D.
II. Serial A was not screened on 25th and one serial was screened between serials A and B.

25. Among Mohit, Anita, Sonal, Ratna and Tanvy, who came last for the programme?
I. Mohit came after Anita but not after Tanvy. II. Ratna came after Tanvy but not after Sonal.

26. In which direction is Rahul facing?

I. In the early morning Rahul was standing in front of a puppet and the shadow of puppet was falling to the
right of Rahul.
II. In the early morning Rahul was standing on the ground. His shadow was falling behind him when he
turned to his left.

27. Which village is to the North-east of village A?

I. Village B is to the North of village A, villages C and D are to the East and West of village B respectively.
II. Village P is to the South of village A and village E is to the East of village P, village K is to the North of
village P.

28. How many children are there between P and Q in a row of children?
I. P is fifteenth from the left in the row.
II. Q is exactly in the middle and there are ten children towards his right.

29. What is Sumit’s position from the right end in a row of children?
I. There are 10 children between Sumit and Rajan.
II. Rajan is twentieth from the left end of the row of children.

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30. What is the rank of P from the bottom in a class of 30 students?
I. M is third from the top and there are five students between M and P.
II. The rank of K is fourth from the bottom and there are 17 students between K and P.

31. In how many days 10 women can finish the work?

I. 10 men finish the work in 6 days.
II. 10 women and 10 men finish the work in 24/7 days.
III. If 10 men work 3 days and after that 10 women are deployed to work for men, the rest work is finished
in 4 days.
A. I and II B. Any two of three C. I and III D. II and III E. None of these

32. What is the present age of Sabir?

I. The present age of Sabir is half of his father’s age.
II. After five years, the ratio of ages of Sabir and his father is 6 : 11.
III. Sabir is younger to his brother by five years.
A. I and II B. I and III C. II and III D. All of these E. Cannot be determined

33. What is the two digit number?

I. The difference between the number and the number formed by interchanging the digit is 27.
II. The difference between two digits is 3.
III. The digit at unit’s place is less than that at ten’s place by 3.
A. I and II B. I and either II or III C. I and III D.All of these E.None of these

34. What is the rate of interest per cent per annum?

I. An amount doubles itself in 5 yr. on simple interest.
II. Difference between the compound interest and the simple interest earned on a certain amount in two
years is ‘400’.
III. Simple interest earned per annum is ‘2000’.
A. Only I B. II and III C. Any two of three D. I and III E.Either I or II and III

35. What is the cost of flooring the rectangular hall?

I. Length and the breadth of the hall are in the ratio of 3 : 2.
II. Length of the hall is 48 m and cost of flooring is ‘850 per sq m.
III. Perimeter of the hall is 160 m and cost of flooring is ‘ 850 per sq m.
A. I and II B. I and III C. Only III D. I and either II or III E. Any two of the three

36. At what time will the train reach city X from city Y?
I. The train will pass the other train of equal length of 200 m, running opposite in direction in 15 s.
II. The train leaves city Y at 7.15 am for city X situated at a distance at 560 km.
III. The 200 m long train crosses a signal pole in 10 s.
A. Only I B. Only II C. Only III D. II and III
E. All I, II and III are required to answer the question.

37. What will be the sum of the ages of father and the son after five years?
I. Father’s present age is twice the present age of son.
II. After ten years, the ratio of father’s age to the son’s age will become 12 : 7.
III. Five years ago, the difference between the father’s age and son’s age was equal to son’s present age.
A.Only I or II B. Only II or III C. Only I or III D. Only I E. Only I or II or III

38. 12 men and 8 women can complete a piece of work in 10 days. How many days will it take for 15 men
and 4 women to complete the same work?
I. 15 men can complete the work in 12 days.
II. 15 women can complete the work in 16 days.

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III. The amount of work done by a woman is three fourth of the work done by a man in one day.
A. Only II B. Only III C. Only II or III D. Only I or II or III E. Any two of the three

39. What is the length of a running train P crossing another running train Q.
I. These two trains take 18 s to cross each other.
II. These trains are running in opposite direction.
III. The length of the train Q is 180 m
A. Only I B. Only II C. Only III D. All I, II and III are required
E. Cannot be answered even with the help of three statements.

40. What is the amount saved by Nishant per month from his salary?
I. Nishant spends 25% of his salary on food, 35% on medicine and education.
II. Nishant spends Rs. 4000 per month on food and 15% on entertainment and saves the remaining amount.
III. Nishant spends Rs. 2500 per month on medicine and education and saves the remaining amount.
A. Only I B. Only III C. Both II and III D. Only II or III E.None of these

41. How is Aditya related to Mayank?

I. Pinki is the mother-in-law of Rashmi, the wife of Aditya.
II. Pinki’s brother is Aditya’s maternal uncle.
III. Pinki’s husband is the only son of Mayank.
A. Only I and II B. Only I and III C. Only I and either II or III D. Any two of the three
E. Question cannot be answered even with the information in all three statements

42. Who amongst Suraj, Neeraj, Tara, Meena and Anil is the first to take the lecture?
I. Suraj takes lecture before Meena and Neeraj but not before Anil.
II. Tara is not the first to take the lecture.
III. Meena is not the last to take the lecture.
A. Only I B. Only I and II C. Only I and either II or III D. All I, II and III are necessary
E. Question cannot be answered even with the information in all three statements

43. What is the code for ‘rope’ in a code language?

I. ‘use the rope’ is written as ‘nik ta re’ in the code language.
II. ‘rope is straight’ is written as ‘pe da ta’.
III.‘always use rope’ is written as ‘ma re ta’.
A. Only I and II or II and III B. Only I and III
C. Only II and III D. All I, II and III are necessary
E. Question cannot be answered even with the information in all three statements

44. P is in which direction with respect to Q?

I. M is to the North of R who is to the West of Q.
II. P is to the East of M.
III.P is to the North-East of R.
A. Only I and III B. Only III C. Any two of the three D. All I, II and III are necessary
E. Question cannot be answered even with the information in all three statements

45. What is Sudha’s rank from top in the class of 45 students?

I. Sudha is five ranks below Samir who is 15th from the bottom.
II. Radha is 30th from the top and Neeta is 5th from the bottom.
III. Sudha is exactly in the middle of Radha and Neeta.
A. Only I B. Only II and III C. Either only I or only II and III
D. Only I and either II or III E. None of these

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46. How many daughters does L have?
I. C and D are sister of M. II. M’s father T is husband of L.
III. Out of the three children which T has only one is a boy.
A. Only I and III B. All I, II and III are required to answer the question C. Only II and III
D. Question cannot be answered even with all I, II and III E. Only I and II

47. Who among A, B, C, D, E and F each having a different height, is the tallest?
I. B is taller than A but shorter than E.
II. Only two of them are shorter than C.
III.D is taller than only F.
A. Only I and II B. Only II and III C. Only I and III
D. All I, II and III are required to answer the question
E. All I, II and III are not sufficient to answer the question.

48. Towards which direction is village J from village W?

I. Village R is to the west of village W and to the north of village T.
II. Village Z is to the east of village J and to the south of village T.
III. Village M is to the north east of village J and north of village Z.
A. Only III B. Only II and III C. All I, II and III are required to answer the question
D. Question cannot be answered even with all I, II and III E. None of these

49. On which day of the week starting from Monday did Suresh visit Chennai?
I. Suresh took leave on Wednesday.
II. Suresh visited Chennai the day after his mother’s visit to his house.
III. Suresh’s mother visited Suresh’s house neither on Monday nor on Thursday
A. Only II and III B. Only I and III C. Only I and III
D. All I, II and III are required to answer the question
E. Question cannot be answered even with all I, II and III

50. How is ‘go’ written in a code language?

I. ‘now or never again’ is written as ‘torn ka na sa’ in that code language.
II. ‘you come again now’ is written as ‘ja ka ta sa’ in that code language.
III. ‘again go now or never’ is written as ‘na ho ka sa torn’ in that code language.
A. Only I and III B. Only II and III C. Only I & II
D. All I, II and III are required to answer the question E. None of these

ANSWER KEY

1.E 2.A 3.E 4.E 5.C 6.D 7.E 8.C 9.B 10.B
11.E 12.B 13.B 14.C 15.E 16.D 17.C 18.D 19.D 20.E
21.D 22.D 23.B 24.E 25.E 26.C 27.A 28.E 29.D 30.C
31.B 32.A 33.E 34.E 35.E 36.A 37.E 38.E 39.E 40.D
41.B 42.B 43.A 44.A 45.A 46.C 47.D 48.E 49.E 50.A

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