Data Sufficiency — Who Is Youngest? (Siddhartha, Nikunj, Vipul, Mukul) Question: Who among Siddhartha, Nikunj, Vipul and Mukul is the youngest? Statements: I. Vipul is younger than Mukul but older than Siddhartha and Nikunj. II. Mukul is the oldest. III. Siddhartha is older than Nikunj.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Only I and III

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Determine the youngest person using relative age statements. Data Sufficiency requires identifying which statements are enough to answer uniquely.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • I: Vipul < Mukul and Vipul > Siddhartha, Nikunj.
  • II: Mukul is the oldest.
  • III: Siddhartha > Nikunj.


Concept / Approach:
Use inequalities to order individuals. The youngest is the one smaller than all others. If two persons are both younger than a third (Vipul), we still need to know their mutual order to identify the youngest.


Step-by-Step Solution:

From I: S and N are both younger than Vipul; Mukul is older than Vipul. The youngest must be among {S, N}, but I alone does not tell whether S or N is younger. From III: Siddhartha is older than Nikunj ⇒ Nikunj is younger than Siddhartha. Combine I and III: Since both S and N are younger than Vipul and N is younger than S, Nikunj is the youngest overall. Mukul’s status in II is not required, because I already places Mukul older than Vipul, and both S and N are below Vipul.


Verification / Alternative check:
Any arrangement consistent with I and III places Nikunj at the bottom of the order: N < S < V < M.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Only I: Cannot distinguish between S and N.
  • Only I and II: Still cannot distinguish between S and N.
  • Only II and III: Does not relate V to S and N, so youngest remains uncertain.
  • None of these: Incorrect, as I + III suffice.


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “oldest” is needed to find “youngest”; forgetting to compare S and N directly.


Final Answer:
Only I and III.

More Questions from Data Sufficiency

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion