Data sufficiency — Who is the uncle of L? Statements: A. P, brother of M, is father of L; M is father of S. B. R is father of L's cousin. Decide which statements are sufficient to determine the uncle of L.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: A alone is sufficient

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The task is to identify L’s uncle using data sufficiency. We must determine whether each statement alone (or together) pins down a unique answer.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A: P and M are brothers; P is father of L; M is father of S.
  • B: R is father of L’s cousin (ambiguous without further ties).


Concept / Approach:
An uncle is a brother of a parent (or spouse thereof, depending on convention). From A, we know P is L’s father and that P’s brother is M, i.e., M is paternal uncle of L.



Step-by-Step Solution:

1) From A: Since P (male) and M (male) are brothers, and P is L’s father, M is L’s paternal uncle by definition.2) From B: Knowing only that R is father of L’s cousin does not reveal whose sibling R is, nor fix which side of the family produces the cousin. B is insufficient.


Verification / Alternative check:
Under A, there is no ambiguity: the uncle is M. Under B, R could be any cousin’s father through various family branches; multiple possibilities exist.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • B alone: Too vague to identify a unique uncle.
  • Either A or B: False, as B fails.
  • Both not sufficient: False, A is already sufficient.
  • A and B together: Redundant since A alone suffices.


Common Pitfalls:
Mistaking any cousin’s parent as automatically an uncle; overlooking that “cousin” may arise from either parent’s siblings.



Final Answer:
A alone is sufficient.

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