There are two (relatively) easy ways to answer this type of question.
firstly, the max number for all three is the minimum among the major groups X, Y and Z, here Z = 72. So our a= 72. Trouble is with finding the minimum. For that, we need to maximise the two-group overlap. Here are two ways to do that:
1) Pick any two of the three groups. Say, X (90) and Y (85). Added, they give 175. Imagine they are the only two groups. So the overlap becomes 175-120 = 55. Now treat this 55 as one group and Z as another group that overlaps with it. The overlap now becomes (55+72) - 120 = 7. That is the minimum three-group overlap. hence a-b = 72-7 = 65
2) X+Y+Z = 247. We have 120 locations. so have a total overlap of 247-120 =127. Remember, we want to minimise three-group overlap and for that, maximise two-group overlap. So coming back to this 127. We have a total of 120 locations. Imagine that all 120 locations have two products, that is, all 120 are in 2-group overlap. that leaves 127-120 = 7 locations remaining from the total overlap, which has to be the 7 with three-group overlap. hence, a-b = 72-7 = 65.
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https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-a-class-o ... NT6Apc1bpMprachisaraf
Can someone provide a technique for these kind of problems ?