Gokul20
GMATinsight
Bunuel
A basket contains only three kinds of fruits – 20 guavas, 20 mangoes and 20 pears. What is the minimum number of fruits that should be picked from the basket to ensure that at least 5 guavas or at least 7 mangoes or at least 8 pears are picked?
A. 20
B. 18
C. 17
D. 12
E. 11
Maximum Total fruits picked to give UNDESIRED outcome = (5-1)+(7-1)+(8-1) = 17
If we pick any 1 fruit then one of the conditions of "at least 5 guavas or at least 7 mangoes or at least 8 pears" will be met
so Minimum fruits to be picked to ensure the DESIRED Outcome = 17+1 = 18
Answer: Option B
Hi
GMATinsight, though I get the logic behind your explanation, I am kinda not totally understanding here. Is there any alternative orthodox approach here ?
Gokul20This is totally an orthodox approach. Let me explain.
We would like to imagine a situation where we have picked the maximum fruits yet we have not been able to meet the conditiongiven in question
Question mentioned the required condition as
at least 5 guavas or at least 7 mangoes or at least 8 pears are picked?Therefore, we pick 4 guavas, 6 mangoes and 7 pears so that not even one condition is met
But if any one fruit is picked next, it will be one of three types and therefore one of the three conditions will be met and thats how we reach to required condition.
I hope it help!