Each of the questions given below consists of a statement and/or a question…
2023
Each of the questions given below consists of a statement and/or a question and two statements numbered I and II given below it. You have to decide whether the data provided in the statement(s) is/are sufficient to answer the given question.
Read both the statements and Give answer
If x, y are integers, then (x2 + y2)1/2 is an integer?
Statement I – x2 + y2 is an integer
Statement II – x2 – 3y2 = 0
- A.
if the data in Statement I alone is sufficient to answer the question, while the data in Statement II alone is not sufficient to answer the question.
- B.
if the data in Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question, while the data in Statement I alone is not sufficient to answer the question.
- C.
if the data in each Statement I and Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question.
- D.
if the data even in both Statements I and II together are not sufficient to answer the question.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept: For integers x and y, √(x2 + y2) is an integer only when x2 + y2 is a perfect square.
A statement is sufficient in a data-sufficiency question only if it forces the same answer for every pair of integers x, y consistent with it — a relation that is automatically true for all integers adds no new restriction, while an equation tying x to y can be substituted into the target expression to test whether it always reduces to a perfect square.
Applying it here:
Statement I alone: “x2 + y2 is an integer” is true for every pair of integers x, y, so it adds no new restriction. With x = 1, y = 1, x2 + y2 = 2 and √2 is not an integer; with x = 3, y = 4, x2 + y2 = 25 and √25 = 5 is an integer. Two pairs consistent with Statement I give different answers, so Statement I alone is not sufficient.
Statement II alone: x2 − 3y2 = 0 gives x2 = 3y2. Substituting this into the expression: x2 + y2 = 3y2 + y2 = 4y2, so √(x2 + y2) = √(4y2) = 2|y|. Since y is an integer, 2|y| is an integer for every y satisfying this equation, so Statement II alone is sufficient.
Cross-check: Squaring the result back, (2y)2 = 4y2, and 4y2 = 3y2 + y2 = x2 + y2 whenever x2 = 3y2 — confirming the substitution is consistent.
Answer: Statement II alone is sufficient to answer the question, while Statement I alone is not.