Three salespeople — A, B, and C — sold a total of 500 products among

Forget the conventional way to solve DS questions.

We will solve this DS question using the variable approach.

DS question with 3 variables and 1 Equation: Let the original condition in a DS question contain 3 variables and 1 Equation. Now, 3 variables and 1 Equation would generally require 2 more equations for us to be able to solve for the value of the variable.

We know that each condition would usually give us an equation, and Since we need 2 more equations to match the numbers of variables and equations in the original condition, the logical answer is C.

To master the Variable Approach, visit https://www.mathrevolution.com and check our lessons and proven techniques to score high in DS questions.

Let’s apply the 3 steps suggested previously. [Watch lessons on our website to master these 3 steps]

Step 1 of the Variable Approach: Modifying and rechecking the original condition and the question.

We have to find whether A > B and A > C ?

Second and the third step of Variable Approach: From the original condition, we have 3 variables (A, B, and C) + 1 Equation (A +B + C = 500).To match the number of variables with the number of equations, we need 2 more equations. Since conditions (1) and (2) will provide 2 equations, C would most likely be the answer.

Let’s take look at both condition together.

Condition(1) tells us that A sold 166 products during the month.

Condition(2) tells us that C sold 249 products during the month.

=> A + B + C = 500

=> 166 + B + 249 = 500

=> B = 85 products

=> A (166) > B(85) and A (166) < C(249)

Since the answer is unique YES , both conditions combined together are sufficient by CMT 1.

Both conditions combined together are sufficient.

So, C is the correct answer.

Answer: C


SAVE TIME: By Variable Approach, when you know that we need two equations, we will directly combine the conditions to solve. We will save time in not checking the conditions individually.

Bunuel , could you please cross check the OA

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The question asks whether A > B and A > C, so whether A sold more than each of B and C. From (1) it's not possible A to be more than B and C. The OA is A.

(1) A sold 166 products during the month.

For A to be more than B and more than C, let B =165 and C=165
So we get A+B+C= 496
So in spite of taking max. value of sales for B and C we cannot get total 500 sales if B and C have sales less than those of A.

Hence with 166 sales A cannot have more sales than B and more sales than C ( We need total 500 sales)

A is SUFF.

(2) C sold 249 products during the month.

\(A \hspace{3mm} B \hspace{3mm}C\)
250 1\(\hspace{5mm}\)249- A > B and A>C:True
151 100 249- A > B and A>C: False
INSUFF.

Ans- A

Hope it's clear.