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.
Among five friends A, B, C, D and E, who is the tallest?
I. D is taller than A and C.
II. B is shorter than E but taller than D.
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 (D is taller than A and C):
It places D above A and C but says nothing about B and E, so B or E could be taller than D: not sufficient
Statement II alone (E taller than B, B taller than D):
E is above B and D, but A and C are not mentioned, so either of them could be taller than E: not sufficient
Both together:
E > B > D from II, and D > A, C from I, so E > B > D > A, C
E is taller than all the other four, so E is the tallest: the two statements together are sufficient