Data Sufficiency — Minimum Passing Percentage What is the minimum passing percentage in a test? I. Raman scored 25% marks in the test, and Sunil scored 288 marks, which is 128 more than Raman. II. Raman scored 64 marks less than the minimum passing marks.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Both statements I and II together are sufficient, but neither alone is sufficient.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The task is to determine the minimum passing percentage (passing marks expressed as a percentage of total marks). This is a sufficiency check, not merely arithmetic.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Statement I: Raman has 25% of total marks; Sunil = 288, which is 128 more than Raman.
  • Statement II: Raman scored 64 marks less than the minimum passing marks.


Concept / Approach:
To get the passing percentage, we need both the total marks (denominator) and the minimum passing marks (numerator). Statement I can reveal total marks; Statement II can relate passing marks to Raman’s score.


Step-by-Step Solution:

From I: Let total marks be M. Raman = 0.25 M. Sunil = Raman + 128 = 288 ⇒ Raman = 160 ⇒ 0.25 M = 160 ⇒ M = 640.From II: Passing marks P_min = Raman + 64 = 160 + 64 = 224.Passing percentage = (P_min / M) * 100 = (224 / 640)*100 = 35% (unique).


Verification / Alternative check:
Neither statement alone suffices: I yields M but not P_min; II yields a difference relative to Raman but not M. Together they fix both.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • I alone sufficient: Lacks the passing threshold.
  • II alone sufficient: Lacks total marks M.
  • Either alone sufficient: False.
  • Even both not sufficient: False — together they give 35%.


Common Pitfalls:
Misreading “128 more than Raman” as a percentage; or treating passing marks as a fixed number across tests without computing from given data.


Final Answer:
Both statements together are sufficient; neither alone is sufficient.

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