Sue is now 15 years younger than Jane. How old is Sue in 2000?

Question

(1) Jane is 4 times as old as Sue in 1995.

(2) Jane is 2 times as old as Sue in 2005.

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cdrectenwald · Answer

Do we assume that Sue is 15 years older than Jane in 2000? If so, both statements are sufficient, D

Tishaagarwal13 · Answer

The correct answer is D

Given, Sue is 15 years younger than Jane
So, S = J - 15 —-> (1)

Question: How old is Sue in the year 2000?

Statement 1:
Jane is 4 times as old as Sue in 1995

J = 4S (in 1995)
So, in 2000, both Jane and Sue will be 4 years older I.e., J+4 = 4S + 4
We can solve both equations (1) and the above one - Sufficient

Statement 2:
Jane is 2 times as old as Sue in 2005

J = 2S (in 2005)
In 2000, both J and S will be 5 years younger,
I.e., J - 5 = 2S - 5

We can solve both equations (1) and the above one - Sufficient

Whoisdmx15 · Answer

Given Sue (S) = Jane (J) -15
How old is Sue in 2000?

(1) Jane is 4 times as old as Sue in 1995.
In 1995
J=4*S
J=4*(J-15)
J=20 S=5
Hence S = 10 in 2000 (5 years later)

(2) Jane is 2 times as old as Sue in 2005.
In 2005
J=2*S
J=2*(J-15)
J=30
S=30-15 = 15
Hence S= 10 in 2000 (5 Years prior).

IMO Ans D

bhargavhhhhhhhh · Answer

Question Breakdown:
- Sue is 15 years younger than Jane.
- We need to find Sue’s age in 2000.
- Use the two statements to determine Sue's age in 2000.

Let:
- Sue's age in 2000 = S
- Jane's age in 2000 = J
- According to the question: J = S + 15 (because Sue is 15 years younger than Jane)

Statement 1: Jane is 4 times as old as Sue in 1995.
- In 1995, Jane's age = J - 5 (because 2000 - 1995 = 5 years ago)
- In 1995, Sue's age = S - 5
- From the statement: J - 5 = 4(S - 5)
- Substituting J = S + 15 into this: (S + 15) - 5 = 4(S - 5)
- Simplifying: S + 10 = 4(S - 5)
- S + 10 = 4S - 20
- Solving: 30 = 3S, so S = 10
- Therefore, Sue is 10 years old in 2000.
- Statement 1 is sufficient to determine Sue's age.

Statement 2: Jane is 2 times as old as Sue in 2005.
- In 2005, Jane's age = J + 5 (because 2005 - 2000 = 5 years later)
- In 2005, Sue's age = S + 5
- From the statement: J + 5 = 2(S + 5)
- Substituting J = S + 15 into this: (S + 15) + 5 = 2(S + 5)
- Simplifying: S + 20 = 2(S + 5)
- S + 20 = 2S + 10
- Solving: 10 = S, so S = 10
- Therefore, Sue is 10 years old in 2000.
- Statement 2 is also sufficient to determine Sue's age.

Conclusion:
Both statements are individually sufficient to determine Sue’s age in 2000. Therefore, the answer is:
D. Each statement alone is sufficient.

pi31415926 · Answer

given the statement it doesn't need to be the case that she is 15 years older in 2000...... of course it can likely be assumed but at this point i am not sure anymore when to look for traps...

gullyboy09 · Answer

Hi  Bunuel , can you please edit the question to make it more clear. Why do we need to assume she is 15 years older in 2000?

MarkGMATMentor · Answer

The question as written tells you all you need to know.  If Sue is 15 years younger than Jane right now, at any given time Sue will still be 15 years younger than Jane.

On most age questions, you have to be careful to account for the different time frames, but here, because Sue will always be 15 years younger, you can say, no matter what year you define for s and j, that:
s = j - 15

Statement 1: 
Here, let's define s and j as their ages in 1995. Then:
j = 4s

Along with s = j - 15, you have two unique linear equations with two variables, so you can solve for s and for j. Add 5 years to s and you have a definitive answer to the question.  Sufficient.

Statement 2: 
Here, let's define s and j as their ages in 2005. Then:
j = 2s

Just like Statement 1, you have two equations and two variables, so you can solve for s and j. Subtract 5 years from s and you have a definitive answer to the question.  Sufficient.

The answer is D.

This question is a good example of how the test sometimes likes to break patterns and defy your expectations. It's always a good idea to take a big-picture view of the prompt and what you can learn from it; in this case, that Sue will always be 15 years younger than Jane.

Sue is now 15 years younger than Jane. How old is Sue in 2000?

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GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

Sue is now 15 years younger than Jane. How old is Sue in 2000?

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