A sum of $200,000 from a certain estate was devided among a

plz explain detail steps...

A sum of $200,000 from a certain estate was divided among a spouse and three children. How much of the estate did the youngest child receive?

(1) The spouse received 1/2 of the sum from the estate, and the oldest child received 1/4 of the remainder.
(2) Each of the two younger children received $12,500 more than the oldest child and $62,500 less than the spouse.

where it is mentioned that s2=s3?

B.Each of the two younger children received ....
implying that both s2 and s3 received same amount.
i hope its clear now

There has been slight mistake in calculation, though it doesnt affect the final answer:

Second statement
S2=S3
S3=S1+12,500
S3=SP-62,500
Sp+S1+S2+S3=200,000

converting everything into S3
S3+62,500+S3-12,500+S3+S3=200,000
4S3=150,000
S3=37,500
Hence answer is B

Let´s call s for spouse and a, b, c to the children from younger to older

Question Stem
200,000 = s + a + b + c


Statement 1
s = 100,000
c = 25,000
We have 4 variables and 3 equations, hence we cannot solve. Not sufficient


Statement 2
Here´s the catch! The question stem can be rewritten as 200,000 = s + 2a + c
a = c + 12,500
a = s – 62,500
Since we now have 3 variables and 3 equations, we can solve. Sufficient.


Please let me know with Kudos if you find my response elegant!

Its a C trap Question

Here is a visual that should help. Notice that it doesn't say anywhere that the funds were divided equally, so don't assume this!

TIP: if the funds were divided equally, then you would know the answer to the question prior to either of the conditions. This never happens on DS. Thus, this is a red flag that indicates you are misinterpreting the question.

I didn't have time to complete the question before the lesson was over, but once I realized that I could solve for all three variables (y, m, and s) in terms of "old", I knew that condition #2 was was sufficient.

(I wrote "old" instead of the variable "o" because I didn't want to get it confused with the number zero.)

its a bit confusing . the question says what is youngest .......but in B answer we encounter 2 younger !!! how we can interpret that ?
youngest is unique but we calculate 2 !!!! could any one say why ?

great word play. really missed that step. I was keen to find that they have not mentioned youngest child. silly silly mistake.

in DS never write down the actual RAW numbers.....

I use the following strategies.... when I know that I have a raw number I just annotate #

if you have any questions on how I use this strategy and how it may be useful feel free to ask

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