Data sufficiency — How is P related to J? Statements: A. M is the brother of P and T is the sister of P. B. P's mother is married to J's husband, who has one son and two daughters. Identify which statements suffice to determine P's relation to J.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: B alone is sufficient

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
We are to fix the relationship of P to J using minimal information. As a data-sufficiency item, we focus on whether the statements force a unique relation without overbuilding the tree.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A: M is P’s brother; T is P’s sister (sibling set info; no mention of J).
  • B: P’s mother is married to J’s husband, who has one son and two daughters.


Concept / Approach:
If “P’s mother is married to J’s husband” under standard monogamous interpretation, the only coherent reading is that J is P’s mother (J’s husband is P’s father, married to P’s mother). Thus P is the child of J.



Step-by-Step Solution:

1) From B: J’s husband and P’s mother are a married pair, which identifies J as P’s mother.2) Therefore, P is related to J as child (gender of P not required).3) From A: Only sibling composition is known; no link to J, hence insufficient by itself.


Verification / Alternative check:
Any attempt to interpret B otherwise leads to polygamy or contradiction. The cleanest, standard reading is J = P’s mother.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • A alone: No J mentioned; cannot conclude.
  • Either A or B: False, because A fails.
  • Both not sufficient: False, B alone suffices.
  • A and B together: Redundant; B already suffices.


Common Pitfalls:
Overcomplicating the phrase “P’s mother is married to J’s husband”; the intended inference is straightforward in standard family-logic settings.



Final Answer:
B alone is sufficient (P is J’s child).

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