The question below is followed by two statements numbered I and II. Decide whether the data given in the statements are sufficient to answer the question.
What is Ritu’s present age?
I. Ritu is 4 years older than her brother Sohan.
II. Five years ago, Sohan was 9 years old.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Both statements I and II together are needed.
In data sufficiency, a statement is sufficient only if it leads to one definite answer; each statement is first tried alone, then the two together.
Statement I alone (Ritu is 4 years older than Sohan):
It gives only the gap between the two ages, not either age: not sufficient
Statement II alone (Sohan was 9 five years ago):
Sohan’s present age \(=9+5=14\) years, but Ritu is not linked to Sohan: not sufficient
Both together:
Sohan is 14 years old now (II)
Ritu \(=14+4=\) 18 years (I): sufficient together