Data Sufficiency – Counting visitors (passes allow up to 3 guests) Question: How many visitors saw the exhibition yesterday in total? Statements: I. Each entry pass holder can take up to three persons with him/her. II. In all, 243 passes were sold yesterday.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Neither I nor II is sufficient

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This DS problem involves maximum-capacity reasoning. A pass holder may bring guests, but the actual number of guests per pass can vary from 0 to the stated maximum. We must judge sufficiency to compute the total visitors.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • I: Each pass allows up to 3 accompanying persons.
  • II: 243 passes were sold yesterday.
  • Visitor count includes pass holders themselves plus any accompanying persons.


Concept / Approach:
To determine an exact total, we need both the number of passes and the actual number of companions used per pass. A bound such as 'up to 3' only provides a range, not a fixed value.



Step-by-Step Solution:

From I alone: No count of passes is given, so the total visitors are indeterminate.From II alone: With 243 passes, the total could be as low as 243 (if no guests came) or as high as 243 * 4 = 972 (if every pass holder brought 3 guests). The exact number is unknown.Combining I and II still leaves a wide range. Without the actual distribution of guests per pass, we cannot determine the precise total.


Verification / Alternative check:
Construct two valid scenarios with the same 243 passes: (a) Nobody brings a guest → 243 visitors; (b) Everyone brings 3 guests → 972 visitors. Both conform to the statements yet yield different totals, proving insufficiency.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • I alone or II alone: each clearly lacks essential information.
  • Either I or II: false since neither alone suffices.
  • Both I and II: still not enough because 'up to 3' does not fix a unique number.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming 'up to 3' means 'exactly 3'; that would change the problem completely but is not stated. DS demands using only given facts.


Final Answer:
Neither I nor II is sufficient

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