Data sufficiency – school timetable sequencing Four subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology) are taught in four consecutive one-hour periods starting at 8:00 a.m. At what time is the Chemistry period scheduled? Statements: (I) The Mathematics period ended at 10:00 a.m. and was preceded by Biology. (II) Physics was scheduled in the last period. (III) The Mathematics period was immediately followed by Chemistry.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Only I and either II or III

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
We must place four subjects into the 8–9, 9–10, 10–11, and 11–12 slots and determine Chemistry’s time. This is a classic sequence/ordering data-sufficiency problem.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Slots: 8–9, 9–10, 10–11, 11–12.
  • Subjects: Physics (P), Chemistry (C), Mathematics (M), Biology (B).
  • Statement I: M ends at 10:00 a.m. and is preceded by B → B at 8–9, M at 9–10.
  • Statement II: Physics is last → P at 11–12.
  • Statement III: M is immediately followed by C.


Concept / Approach:
Check which combinations of statements uniquely fix Chemistry’s slot. The aim is sufficiency, not full timetable reconstruction.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Using Statement I alone: B at 8–9 and M at 9–10. Remaining slots (10–11, 11–12) are for C and P, but order unknown → insufficient.I + II: With P last (11–12), the only remaining slot for C is 10–11 → Chemistry at 10–11 is fixed → sufficient.I + III: If M is immediately followed by C, then C is 10–11 (right after M at 9–10) → sufficient even without II.II + III without I: P last; M immediately followed by C, but M could be 8–9 (then C is 9–10) or M 9–10 (C 10–11), etc. Multiple possibilities → insufficient.


Verification / Alternative check:
Both (I+II) and (I+III) yield C at 10–11. No contradiction occurs; hence the answer requires I and either II or III.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only I / Only II / Only II and III: Do not uniquely fix Chemistry’s time.
  • Either I only or II only: Incorrect; neither alone suffices.


Common Pitfalls:
Confusing 'immediately followed' with 'somewhere after' and overlooking that sufficiency is about uniqueness of Chemistry’s slot, not the entire schedule.



Final Answer:
Only I and either II or III


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