The question below is followed by two statements numbered I and II. Choose the option that describes whether the statements are sufficient to answer the question.
There are four persons: Ramya, Sowmya, Jamuna and Archana. How many persons are older than Ramya?
I. Sowmya is older than exactly two persons.
II. Ramya is not younger than Sowmya.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The question can be answered by using both statements together, but not by using either statement alone.
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 (Sowmya is older than two of the other three):
Ramya may be one of the two younger persons or the third person, so the count older than her is not fixed: not sufficient
Statement II alone (Ramya is as old as Sowmya or older):
Nothing is known about Jamuna and Archana, so the count is not fixed: not sufficient
Both together:
Sowmya is older than two persons, and Ramya is not younger than Sowmya, so those two must be Jamuna and Archana
Ramya is at least as old as Sowmya, who is older than both of them, so nobody is older than Ramya
The answer is 0: sufficient together