Simplify questions and data statements

Last updated: 23 Nov 2008

You will find that the question and data statements are sometimes written in a way which deliberately obscures a fairly simple meaning.

In these cases you will find it useful to simplify the statements or question to make it clearer what information you are provided or what the question you are asked is.

Example problem to simplify

If n is a positive integer, is mathematical expression?

  1. mathematical expression
  2. n > 2
  1. Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient
  2. Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient
  3. BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient
  4. EACH statement ALONE is sufficient
  5. Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient

Have a go at this question before reading the explanation below.

Simplify the question

The question in this problem can be simplified.

If n is a positive integer, is mathematical expression?

Firstly we can express both sides of the inequality in similar ways because we know that

mathematical expression

So we can write the question as

mathematical expression

But since the bases for both exponents are the same this can be simplified further to just compare the powers.

mathematical expression

Which means can simplify what looks like quite a complex question to, "If n is a positive integer, is n > 3?"

Simplify the data statements

We can also simplify the first data statement

mathematical expression
If we take cube roots of both sides of the equation we get
mathematical expression

Statement 2 cannot be simplified further

Solve the problem

Once you have simplified this data sufficiency problem it is easy to solve

Statement 1 tells you mathematical expression which is greater than 3 and so is sufficient to answer the question.

Statement 2 tells you that mathematical expression which is insufficient to answer the question.

Therefore the answer is A.

Next page: Avoid unnecessary calculations

Comments (4):

  1. If n is larger than 2, and n is an integer. . wouldn't that make it 3 or bigger? Then wouldn't this be enough info to solve question for statement 2?

    Anonymous on 29 Oct 2007 (permalink)

  2. You know that n is an integer and n > 2 and you need to know whether n > 3.

    There are two possibilities n is 3 in which case it IS NOT greater than 3 or n is 4 or more in which case it IS greater than 3.

    Therefore statement 2 is not enough to answer the question.

    joel on 1 Nov 2007 (permalink)

  3. why isnt it n LESS THAN 3, why is it n GREATER THAN 3

    Anonymous on 10 Nov 2007 (permalink)

  4. I agree, n should be LESS THAN 3.

    sheila90064 on 8 Dec 2008 (permalink)

You must log in or register to add a comment.

Creative Commons License