Hi All,
While this question might look complex, it's actually based on some basic arithmetic rules. If you don't recognize the "theory" behind this question, then you could still solve it with a bit of 'brute force' arithmetic and a little logic.
We're told that QP and PQ are two 2-digit numbers that have the same digits (just in reverse-order) and that RSR is a 3-digit number. We're asked for the value of P+Q+R+S.
1) PQ + QP = RSR.
With Fact 1, notice that the sum of the two 2-digit numbers is a 3-digit number. In this situation, the 3-digit number MUST begin with a 1 (there's no other possibility since the highest sum of two 2-digit numbers is 99+99 = 198). Thus, R = 1....
PQ + QP = 1S1
By extension, Q+P must "end" in a 1 AND PQ+QP must be large enough to create a 3-digit sum. From here, you can brute-force the options and see what happens....
P=2, Q=9... 29+92 = 121.... so S=2 and the answer to the question is 2+9+1+2 = 14
P=3, Q=8... 38+83 = 121..... so S=2 and the answer to the question is 3+8+1+2 = 14
Interesting that the resulting sum stayed exactly the SAME. There are only a few options left, but if you map them out, you'll end up with the exact same answer every time... the answer to the question is ALWAYS 14.
Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT
2) P, Q, R, and S are distinct non-zero digits.
With this Fact, we know that the 4 digits are all DIFFERENT non-zero integers, but there are multiple possible answers to the given question.
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT
Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich