Data Sufficiency represents a logical reasoning format designed to assess your capacity to ascertain if the provided information offers enough data to resolve a given question. These questions are typically framed with two statements, and four options:
- Statement 1 is sufficient to Answer the question
- Statement 2 is sufficient to answer the question
- Both Statements are needed to answer the question
- Can't be Answered with the help of both statements.
Your task is to determine appropriate options based on the question asked and supporting statements provided.
Data Sufficiency questions can be demanding, yet they offer a valuable skill applicable in various domains, including critical thinking, and decision-making.
Here are some tips and tricks to tackle data sufficiency questions effectively:
Understand the Question:
Read the question carefully and understand what it is asking. Identify the specific information or value you need to find.
Start by analyzing each statement individually. Determine if each statement provides sufficient information to answer the question.
Check for hidden or implied information within the statements.
If neither statement alone is sufficient, consider whether combining both statements provides enough information to answer the question. In some cases, the answer may only be revealed when both statements are considered together.
Avoid Making Assumptions:
Do not assume any additional information beyond what is provided in the statements. Base your answer solely on the given information.
Let's take an example: Who earns the most in Ajay's family?
- Statement 1: Ajay's salary is 100000.
- Statement 2: Ajay's wife earns 20000.
Answer to above question is Can't be Answered. Because we don't know the family structure of Ajay and we can't assume Ajay's family comprises only him & wife . Let's say Ajay has a son, who earns 200000.
Let's take other example: Is there enough food for everyone at the party?
- Statement 1: There are 4 pizzas and 12 guests.
- Statement 2: Everyone will eat exactly two slices of pizza.
Answer to above question is Can't be Answered. Because we don't know the number of slices a pizza will have and we can't assume we will be having 6 slices in a pizza.
Use Real Numbers:
If you're uncertain, plug in real numbers to test the sufficiency of the statements. However, make sure to use simple numbers that are easy to work with.
Let's take an example: Find the value of "x."
- Statement 1: x is an even number.
- Statement 2: x is the smallest even number whose square is divisible by 8.
In above example one can substitute actual values like 2,4,6,8 and solve for x like shown below.
2 * 2 = 4 (not divisible by 8)
4 * 4 = 16 (divisible by 8)
Since we are looking for the smallest even number, we can stop with 4.
Eliminate Irrelevant Information:
Focus on the relevant information in the statements. Don't get distracted by unnecessary details or extraneous data.
Let's take an example: Find the salary of Ram.
- Statement 1: Ravi earns 10000.
- Statement 2: Ram's salary is twice the average salary. Average salary is 10000.
Here the first statement is not required to answer the question because Ravi's salary & Ram's salary has no relationship.
Click here to have crack at Data Sufficiency questions.
- Chose Data Sufficiency-1 or Data Sufficiency-2 from 'Select test Topic' drop down.
- Each correct selection results in 1 mark.
- Each in-correct selection results in -0.33 mark.
- All the Best