The question consists of a problem question followed by two statements I and…

2023

The question consists of a problem question followed by two statements I and II.

Find out if the information given in the statements is sufficient in finding the solution to the problem

Question problem:

What is the amount of cement exported from China?

Statements:

I) China's export to America is 65,000 tons, and this is 8% of the total cement exports.

II) China's total export tonnage of cement is 15% of a total of 1 million tons.

  1. A.

    Statement I alone is sufficient in answering the problem question

  2. B.

    Statement II alone is sufficient in answering the problem question

  3. C.

    Both statements put together are not sufficient in answering the problem question

  4. D.

    Either of the statements is sufficient in answering the problem question.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Concept:

In a Data Sufficiency problem, a statement is sufficient if, taken by itself, it lets you compute one definite value for whatever the question asks. Each statement is judged purely on whether it alone is complete, not on whether it produces the same number as the other statement.

Application:

Statement I says China's export to America is 65,000 tons and that this is 8% of China's total cement exports. Total = 65,000 / 0.08 = 812,500 tons, a single definite value, so Statement I alone is complete.

Statement II says China's total cement exports equal 15% of a total of 1,000,000 tons. Total = 0.15 x 1,000,000 = 150,000 tons, also a single definite value, so Statement II alone is complete too.

Contrast:

  • “Statement I alone is sufficient”: true that Statement I works alone, but wrongly implies Statement II cannot also work alone.

  • “Statement II alone is sufficient”: true that Statement II works alone, but wrongly implies Statement I cannot also work alone.

  • “Both statements together are not sufficient”: incorrect, since each statement already stands on its own; nothing requires combining them.

Answer:

Since each statement independently yields a complete, definite total on its own, either statement alone is sufficient to answer the question.

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