If J, K, L, M, and N and positive integers in ascending order, what is

Question

If J, K, L, M, and N and positive integers in ascending order, what is the value of L?

(1) The value of K is 3.
(2) The value of M is 7.

dave13 · Answer

I vote for E

let J, K, L, M, and N be following numbers respectively 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ST one not sufficient ST two not sufficient Combining both, still not sufficient L could be any number between 4 and 6 inclusive

v12345 · Answer

J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order

(1) The value of K is 3.
L can have any value greater than 3
Not sufficient

(2) The value of M is 7.
L can have positive values, and if J=1 and K=2, L can have values from 3 to 6
Not sufficient

Both statements together K=3,M=7
L can have values between K and M, i.e. from 4 to 6
Not sufficient

Hence answer choice (E)

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soapbolt · Answer

IMO ans is Option  E

Statement 1 says L>3 
Statement 2 says L <7

Combining both we get L is between 3 and 7 hence L can be 4, 5 ,6 . 
Thus not sufficient because of multiple values

Gmatprep550 · Answer

Statement 1 states L is more than 3
Statement 2 states L is less than 7

Combining both we will get L is between 3 and 7 hence L can be between 4 to 6 inclusive .
Thus not sufficient because L could be 4, 5, or 6.

Hence answer is Option E

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

Given : J, K, L, M, and N are positive integers in ascending order

Target question :    What is the value of L?

Statement 1 : The value of K is 3. 
There are many scenarios that satisfy statement 1. Here are two:
 Case a : J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 4 
 Case b : J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 5 
Since we cannot answer the  target question  with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2 : The value of M is 7. 
There are many scenarios that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
 Case a : J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 4 
 Case b : J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 5 
Since we cannot answer the  target question  with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined   
IMPORTANT: Notice that I was able to use the  same counter-examples  to show that each statement ALONE is not sufficient. So, the same counter-examples will satisfy the two statements COMBINED.
In other words,
 Case a : J = 1, K = 3, L = 4, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 4 
 Case b : J = 1, K = 3, L = 5, M = 7, N = 8. In this case, the answer to the target question is  L = 5 
Since we cannot answer the  target question  with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

TheFlash · Answer

What if we apply Mean concept here. As 5 variables are in the ascending order. The Value of L can be identified by knowing K and M.

L = (K+M)/2

TheNightKing · Answer

TheFlash

I thought that too. But then values are in ascending order and not equidistant (AP).

There is a difference between 1,6,7,9,10 and 1,2,3,4,5.

Following me?

kungfury42 · Answer

(A) Just knowing the value of  K  tells us that  L>3  but we cannot determine a unique value for  L .

(B) Just knowing the value of  M  tells us that  L<7  but we cannot determine a unique value for  L .

Combining the two we get
 3<L<7  but we still cannot determine a unique value for  L  as  L  could be  4  or  5  or  6 .

Hence, E.

AT1982 · Answer

1. S1

J(1/2), K(3/3), L(5/4), M(7/5)
Not Sufficient

2. S2
N(7/7), M(6/5), L(5/3), K(4/2),J(3/1)
Not Sufficient

3. Combine S1 & S2 NOT SUFFICIENT

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PSD927 · Answer

From considering 1) and 2) alone, we can't point out a definite value for L.
Now consider both 1 and 2 then, J>K=3> L> M=7> N

So L can be 4,5 or 6.
Hence Option E

Sa800 · Answer

when they say values are in ascending order, do they mean that the values have the same distance among them too?

Bunuel · Answer

No.

Ascending order only means the numbers go from smallest to largest. It says nothing about equal spacing between them.

If J, K, L, M, and N and positive integers in ascending order, what is

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