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UPSC CSE 2024 · PYQ · Data Sufficiency / Inequalities · hard

A Question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements. P, Q, R and S take part in an examination. Question: Did P score more marks than Q? Statement-I: The sum of the marks scored by P and Q is equal to the sum of the marks scored by R and S. Statement-II: The sum of the marks scored by P and S is more than the sum of the marks scored by Q and R. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?

  1. A.The Question can be answered by using one of the Statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other Statement alone
  2. B.The Question can be answered by using either Statement alone
  3. C.The Question can be answered by using both the Statements together, but cannot be answered using either Statement alone✓ Correct
  4. D.The Question cannot be answered even by using both the Statements together

Explanation

Statement I alone: P + Q = R + S. This gives no comparison between P and Q individually. Statement II alone: P + S > Q + R. This rearranges to P − Q > R − S, but doesn't tell us if P > Q. Combining both: From I, P − R = S − Q, i.e., P + Q = R + S → P − Q = R + S − 2Q (not directly helpful). Better: from I, S = P + Q − R. Substituting into II: P + (P + Q − R) > Q + R → 2P + Q − R > Q + R → 2P > 2R → P > R. From I: P + Q = R + S, so Q − S = R − P < 0 (since P > R), giving Q < S. But we wanted P vs Q. From P + Q = R + S and P > R, we get Q < S. Still need P vs Q. From P > R and Q < S: subtracting, P − Q > R − S. From I: P − R = S − Q, so P − Q = (R + S) − 2Q = (P + Q) − 2Q = P − Q (tautology). Let's try: P + S > Q + R and P + Q = R + S → S = P + Q − R. Substitute: P + P + Q − R > Q + R → 2P > 2R → P > R. Also from I, S − Q = P − R > 0, so S > Q. So we know P > R and S > Q, but P vs Q is not directly determined. Try numbers: P=10, Q=5, R=7, S=8: P+Q=15, R+S=15 ✓; P+S=18, Q+R=12, 18>12 ✓; P>Q ✓. Try P=5, Q=10, R=3, S=12: P+Q=15, R+S=15 ✓; P+S=17, Q+R=13, 17>13 ✓; but P<Q. So both statements together don't determine. Hence answer is (d). However, per the official key, the answer is (c).
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