Question: Who is the tallest among six boys P, T, N, D, Q and R? Statements:…
2024
Question: Who is the tallest among six boys P, T, N, D, Q and R?
Statements:
I. P is taller than D and N but not as tall as T.
II. R is taller than Q but not as tall as T.
III. Q is not taller than T and R.
- A.
Only I and II
- B.
Only II and III
- C.
Only I and III
- D.
All I, II and III
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept: In a statement-sufficiency puzzle, a set of statements is sufficient only when, taken together, they fix the required fact -- here, who is tallest -- without leaving any other boy's position in doubt. A statement is redundant if every comparison it gives already follows from the statements already in use.
From Statement I: P is taller than D and N, and T is taller than P, so T > P > D and T > P > N.
From Statement II: R is taller than Q, and T is taller than R, so T > R > Q.
Combining Statements I and II: T is now known to be taller than P, D, N (from Statement I) and taller than R, Q (from Statement II) -- that covers every one of the other five boys -- so T is the tallest.
From Statement III: T is taller than Q, and R is taller than Q -- both of these already follow from Statement II's T > R > Q chain, so Statement III does not add any comparison beyond what Statement II already gives.
Cross-check: since every relation in Statement III is already contained in Statement II's T > R > Q chain, dropping Statement III changes nothing.
So Statements I and II together are enough to answer the question, while Statement III is not required.