Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution.
If x + 3y − 3 = 0, what is the value of x?
(1) 3x + 9y = 9
(2) 2x + 6y = 6
In the original condition, there are 2 variables(x,y) and 1 equation(x+3y-3=0), which should match with the number of equations. So you need 1 more equation. For 1) 1 equation, for 2) 1 equation, which is likely to make D the answer.
For 1) x+3y=3, this equation is repeated, which is already in the original condition, not sufficient.
For 2) x+3y=3, this equation is repeated, which is already in the original condition, not sufficient.
When 1) & 2), they become x+3y=3, which is already in the original condition, not sufficient.
Therefore, the answer is E. In general, when 1)=2), which is like 95% to make D the answer and 5% to make E the answer.
For cases where we need 1 more equation, such as original conditions with “1 variable”, or “2 variables and 1 equation”, or “3 variables and 2 equations”, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore, there is 59 % chance that D is the answer, while A or B has 38% chance and C or E has 3% chance. Since D is most likely to be the answer using 1) and 2) separately according to DS definition. Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, C or E.