Data 20 Sufficiency 1

The MBA Center
Data Sufficiency
Ready…
Part One
Ready…
Hi, my name is Jeff.
I’ll be your instructor for today’s lesson, Data
Sufficiency.
The speed of this lesson is up to you.
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Aim…
Part Two
Not Only Math, but also Logic
Like Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency
questions test basic math skills - arithmetic,
algebra, geometry and word problems.
The strategies discussed in the Problem Solving
lesson are applicable here in Data Sufficiency
questions as well.
But your approach will be quite different.
Data Sufficiency tests not only math, but also logic skills.
To crack them, you’ll need the following:

1. The ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant data.
2. The ability to determine whether you have enough information to
answer a question.
In this section, you’ll be provided with strategies that will give you the
necessary logic skills to solve Data Sufficiency questions.
A Data Sufficiency question is made up of three parts:
1. The question will either ask for the value of a variable or for
an answer to a yes-or-no question. We’ll discuss these two
types of DS questions in a moment.
2. Each DS problem contains two statements. These represent

pieces of information which can be added in order to answer
the question. One or both of the statements may or may not
be sufficient to answer the question. That’s what you’ll be
asked to determine!
3. Answer choices are the same for all Data Sufficiency

questions. As you practice, you’ll become familiar with the
standard set of choices, and you’ll soon have them memorized
without even trying. But do make sure you truly have the
answer choices memorized! You’ll waste a great deal of time
reading through the same set of answer choices for every Data
Sufficiency question.
Answer choices are the same for every Data Sufficiency question.
Know them now and you won’t need to refer to them during the test.
(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement

(2) by itself is not sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement
(1) by itself is not sufficient.
(C) NEITHER statement BY ITSELF is sufficient, but the
two statements COMBINED are sufficient.
(D) EACH statement BY ITSELF is sufficient.
(E) Statement (1) and statement (2) COMBINED are not
sufficient.
Do memorize the answer choices in their proper order.

It would be a shame if you studied hard, mastered the DS question
types and bombed them anyway, just because you clicked on the
wrong oval each time.
Can you answer this question?
What is x + 5 ?
No way!
To do so, you need to know the value of x.
What if I gave you this piece of information? x2 = 1
That’s no good. (1)2 = 1, but (– 1)2 = 1 too!

Try solving the equation with only this piece of
information… x2 + 5x – 6 = 0
Remember the quadratic equations we looked at in the Problem

Solving lesson?
If neither the first nor the second piece of information enables you to
answer the question, combine the two and see what you can do.
Let’s look at this again as a Data Sufficiency question...
Click on the oval that corresponds with the correct answer choice.
What is x + 5 ?
(1) x2 = 1
(2) x2 + 5x – 6 = 0
(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

by itself is not sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (1)
(C) NEITHER statement BY ITSELF is sufficient, but the two
statements COMBINED are sufficient.
sufficient.
Hey, way to go! That’s right, the answer is (C).
Try another one...
What is x + 5 ?
(1) x2 = 1
(2) x2 – 2x + 1 = 0

sufficient.
Sorry, the correct answer is (C). Click on the explanation icon to see
how the previous question is done.
Then try another one...
What is x + 5 ?
(1) x2 = 1
(2) x2 – 2x + 1 = 0

sufficient.
Good job! Try one more...
What is 3x4 + 5 ?
(1) x2 = 1
(2) x2 + 5x – 6 = 0


sufficient.
Sorry, the correct answer is (B). Click on the explanation icon to see
how the previous question’s done.
Then try one more...
What is 3x4 + 5 ?
(1) x2 = 1
(2) x2 + 5x – 6 = 0

sufficient.
The correct answer to the last question is (A).
Click on the Explanation icon to see why.
The preceding quadratic equations were

all examples of value questions.
Value questions ask for one, and only
one, single value for x.
Ask yourself this: “Can the first statement find one (and just one) value
which can be placed in the original question?” If the answer is no, then
it’s not sufficient. If yes, then it is.
Then move on to statement number two. Ask yourself the same
question for the second statement.
If necessary combine both statements and ask the question one more
time.
This is a value question. A statement is not sufficient if it contains
more than one value for the variable x.
Look at each statement separately…
Statement 1 Statement 2
x2 = 1 x2 + 5x - 6 = 0
What is x +
5? x could be 1 (1)2 = 1 Factor the equation:
x could also be –1 (–1)2 = 1 (x – 3)(x – 2) = 0
two values, not sufficient x could be 3 x–3=0
or x could be 2 x–2=0
two values, not sufficient
Statements 1 and 2
There is no one common variable that links the two equations.
x = 1 or x = – 1 or x = 2 or x = 3
The statements combined are not sufficient.
x2 = 1 x2 - 2x + 1 = 0
What is x +
5? x could be 1 (1)2 = 1 Factor the equation:
x could also be -1 (-1)2 = 1 (x - 1) (x - 1) = 0
two values, not sufficient x could be 1 x-1 =0
or x could be 1 x-1 =0
one value, sufficient
The answer is (B).

Statement (2) BY ITSELF is sufficient to solve the problem.
x2 = 1 x2 + 5x - 6 = 0
What is 3x4 + 5 ? x could be 1 (1)2 = 1 Factor the equation:
x could also be -1 (-1)2 = 1 (x - 3) (x - 2) = 0
two values… but remember our x could be 3 x-3 =0
original equation:
or x could be 2 x-2 =0
What is 3x4 + 5 ?
two values, not sufficient
Know the rules of parity.
If (-1)2 = 1 then (-1)4 = 1 also.
Statement (1) is sufficient!
The answer is (A).

Statement (1) alone is sufficient to solve the problem.
Now take a lookWhat
at thisisone…
the area of a rectangular lawn?
(1) 75 percent of the lawn is mowed.

(2) A rectangular region, 10 meters by
12 meters, is mowed, and the rest is
unmowed.
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to

answer the question, but statement (2) alone is
sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient to
answer the question, but statement (1) alone is
not sufficient
(C) Statements (1) and (2) COMBINED
are sufficient to answer the question, but neither
alone is sufficient.
(D) Each statement BY ITSELF is
sufficient.
(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or

combined, are not sufficient to answer the
Click on the ovalquestion.
that corresponds with the correct answer choice.
The correct answer is (C).
Click on the Explanation icon to see how it’s done.
And what’s the total area of the lawn?

If you don’t know, don’t worry. You don’t
need to know. In fact, If you can tell me the
lawn’s area, then you’ve gone too far.
Never solve a Data Sufficiency

problem!
At no time will you ever be asked to actually solve a DS problem.

You’re only asked to determine which statements are sufficient to
answer it.
The best timesaving device you have when tackling Data Sufficiency
questions will be your ability to determine if there is or is not enough
information to answer a question without actually answering the
question.
Use the Data Sufficiency flowchart to eliminate wrong answer
choices.
Understand that this is a value question, so you’ll need to know
the area of the entire lawn to answer it.
area mowed = x% of total area
Now, examine each statement separately, eliminating answer

choices as you go.
☞ Statement 1: not suff. Statement 1:

Eliminate (A) and (D). mowed = 75% of total
☞ Statement 2: not suff.
Eliminate (B). Statement 2:
120 = x % of total
Statements 1 and 2:
We still haven’t eliminated four
120 = 75% of total
answer choices, so combine
Statements 1 and 2.
☞ Combined: Sufficient!
Eliminate (E).
Process of Error Identification
The flowchart helps you to use the Process of
Error Identification as you work your way
through Data Sufficiency questions.
Determining if a statement is, or is not, sufficient
will automatically rule out a number of answer
choices.
Because answer choices for all DS questions are always the same, the
chart will apply for all DS questions in the GMAT!
As with all question types in the GMAT, eliminating some wrong
answer choices is always better than eliminating none. It also
improves your chances of guessing the correct answer.
Begin with
statement (1)
Insufficient Sufficient
Use this flow Eliminat Eliminat

chart to e A, D e B, C, E
eliminate
wrong answer
choices when Then try statement (2) Then try statement (2)
you examine
the
Insufficient Sufficient Insufficient Sufficient
statements.
Eliminat
eB
Consider both statements together
Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer

E C B D A
Begin with
statement (2)
The flow Eliminat Eliminat

changes if e B, D e A, C, E
you begin
with the
second Then try statement (1) Then try statement (1)
statement.
Insufficient Sufficient Insufficient Sufficient
Eliminat
eA
Consider both statements together
Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer

E C A B D
The MBA Center Approach
Part Three
MBA Center Approach
Follow the MBA Center approach to Data
Sufficiency questions every time to assure you
won’t be tripped up by ETS traps.
Work systematically through each problem.
Read and understand the question first. Then
start with one statement and move to the next,
eliminating wrong answer choices as you go.
Finally, look at both statements combined, if
necessary, to determine the correct answer
choice.
Following the MBA Center approach is a proven method which

helps you:
⇒ save time,
⇒ avoid common ETS traps, and
⇒ improve your chances of guessing (if necessary) the right
answer.
MBA Center Approach
Step 1: Read and understand the question before you move on to the
statements
Ask yourself, “What information do I need in order to
answer the question?”
Step 2: Examine the statements separately, eliminating wrong

answer choices
Step 3: If necessary, consider the statements together

Use the MBA Center approach on the following Data Sufficiency
questions…
If x and y are positive integers, what is the value of x +

y?
(1) x2 = y
(2) x > 16
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

question, but statement (2) alone is sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient to answer the
question, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient
(C) Statements (1) and (2) COMBINED are sufficient to
answer the question, but neither alone is sufficient.
(D) Each statement BY ITSELF is sufficient.
(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

sufficient to answer the question.
Good job. Now try this one…
If x and y are positive integers, is x + y less

than 20 ?
(1) x2 = y
(2) x > 16


Sorry, the correct answer is (E). Click on the explanation icon to see
how it’s done. Then try this one…
If x and y are positive integers, is x + y less

than 20 ?
(1) x2 = y
(2) x > 16


To answer the question, you would need to be able to determine the
values of two variables: x and y .
If x and y Statement 1 Statement 2

are x2 = y x > 16
positive
integers, x could be any number, as could x could be any number greater
what is y. than 16
the value not sufficient
of x + y ? not sufficient
Statements 1 and 2
Together, we still don’t know much. We can’t determine the value of x
and, therefore, we don’t know y either.
Not sufficient.
The correct answer to the last question is (A).
Did you see the difference between those last two questions?
The first, a value question, should be familiar to

you by now.
Understand
the meaning The second question asked only for a yes-or-no
of “ answer and is, therefore, a yes-or-no question.
sufficient”
Take a look at them again...
If x and y are positive integers, what is the value of x +

y?
If x and y are positive integers, is x + y less than 20 ?
It’s not necessary to find one value for the variable in a yes-or-no
question. Only determine whether the answer to the question is
definitely “yes” or definitely “no.”
Take a look at the following yes-or-no questions…
Definition of “Sufficiency”
For value questions:
A statement is sufficient if, and only if, it gives you enough information
to narrow down the answer to exactly one numerical value.
For yes-or-no questions:

A statement is sufficient if, regardless of the values, you can answer
the question with either a “yes” or a “no.”
A statement in a yes-or-no question is sufficient if it can be answered
with a “yes” or a “no.”
Is the odd integer x a prime number?
(1) x + 2 is a prime number.

(2) x – 3 is a prime number.

(C) Statements (1) and (2) COMBINED are sufficient
to answer the question, but neither alone is sufficient.

Good job! Try another one…
Is the integer m odd ?
(1) m is a multiple of both 3 and 7.

(2) m - 7 is an odd integer.


Sorry, the correct answer is (B). This one’s a bit easier.
Does a = 1 ?
(1) b = 2a
(2) b=2


The correct answer is (B).
Statement (1) says that m is a multiple of both 3 and 7.
3 * 7 = 21 (odd number)
Double that and you’ve got 42,
an even number.
Statement (1) is not sufficient!
Only an odd integer can satisfy the

statement.
Statement (2) alone is sufficient to answer the question.

So is m odd?
It’s not important, but, no, m is an even number.
Click on the forward Next Screen button to try some Data Sufficiency
questions on your own.
The correct answer is (C).
Statement (1) simply has too many variables.
Statement (2) gives us the value of b . This

doesn’t help at all!
Combine the two and we’re getting
somewhere.
Statements (1) and (2) combined are
So Does a = 1 ?
It’s not important, but, yes, a = 1
Go through the lesson again if you’re having trouble.
Or, if you’re ready, click on the forward Next Screen button to try some
Data Sufficiency questions on your own.
Fire!
Part Four
Fire!
Now it’s time for some tough ones!
Remember, because Data Sufficiency questions rely on logic as well
as math, a systematic approach is critical.
If Lydia is exactly 1.5 times as old as Francis, how
old is
Francis?
(1) Seven years ago Lydia was exactly twice as

old as
Francis.
(2) Fourteen years from now Lydia will be
exactly 25
percent older than Francis.
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the question,

but statement (2) alone is sufficient.
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient to answer the question,
but statement (1) alone is not sufficient
Good job. Now try this one…
I II III
What is the total area of the rectangle above ?
(1) The sum of the areas of rectangles I and II is

28 .
(2) The sum of the areas of rectangles II and III
is 24 .

Sorry, the correct
Theanswer is a(D).
value of Try this
certain carone…
depreciates by 10
percent each year. What was the original price
of
the car?
(1) The car was purchased 2 years

ago, and
its present value is $ 10,000.
(2) Two years after the car was
purchased, its
depreciated value was 81% of its
original
price.

sufficient
Click on the oval to answer the with
that corresponds question.
the correct answer choice.
Way to go! Try one more…
✪
x 
In the▲multiplication
✷ problem shown above,
each
of the symbols ✪, , ▲, and ✷ represents a
positive digit (not including 0); If ▲ > ✷ and ✪
> ,
what is the value of  ?
(1) ✪=8
(2) ▲=3

(C) Statement (1) and (2) COMBINED are sufficient to
(D) Each of statements (1) and (2), alone or combined,
are not sufficient to answer the question.
Sorry, the correct answer is (E). This one’s a bit easier…
If n is an integer, is 3n less than 100 ?
(1) 3n + 1 > 100

(2) 3n - 1 = 3n - 162

such
that all users of credit card X would get a travel
voucher
at the end of the year equal in value to a fixed
percentage of the amount of money charged on the
credit card for that year. Mr. Pavlov charged d dollars
on
credit card X and Mrs. Pavlov charged 3,400 dollars
That’s right! on
You’re one credit card X . If Mr. Pavlov got a travel voucher
for one. Try equal in
one more... value to 380 dollars, what was the value of Mrs.
Pavlov’s
travel voucher?
(1) The vouchers were equal in value to 0.05

dollars for each dollar charged to credit
card X
in 1995.
(2) d = 7,600

(C) Statement (1) and (2) COMBINED are sufficient to answer
the question, but neither alone is sufficient.
(D) Each of statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not
Sorry, the correct answer is (A). This one’s easier…
If a and b are positive integers, what percent

of
a is b ?
(1) 3a = 5b
(2) a + b = 80

Fire!
Remarkable, three out of three!
Look’s like you’re getting the hang of it, but don’t
stop practicing.
Download more Data Sufficiency questions from our web site, and
order our textbook for comprehensive coverage of all question types
within the GMAT
Fire!
Ahh! I got you that time.
The correct answer is (D).
within the GMAT
Fire!
You got two out of three correct.
That’s not bad.
within the GMAT
Fire!
Sorry, the correct answer is (B).
You got the first question correct, but you missed
the next two.
within the GMAT
Fire!
Good job.
You got the first one wrong, but you pulled it up
with the next two.
Remember: in the actual exam, it is the early
questions that hold the greatest point value.
Read about the Computer-adaptive test (CAT) in
the Introduction lesson.
within the GMAT
Fire!
Sorry, the correct answer is (D).
You got the second question right, but you
missed the other two.
within the GMAT
Fire!
Good job.
You missed the first two questions, but you got
the last one right.
within the GMAT
Fire!
Oops, the correct answer is (A).
Take some time to review your math skills and
try this lesson again.
Then download more Data Sufficiency questions from our web site.
Our textbook offers comprehensive coverage of Data Sufficiency and
all question types within the GMAT.
Summary
Part Five
Summary
Data Sufficiency answer choices are always the
same. Memorize them! Don’t waste time
reading them during the actual test.
DS questions are especially tricky and it’s
important that you closely follow the MBA Center
3-step approach to each question.
Step 1: Read and understand the question before you move to

the statements.
Step 2: Examine each statement separately, using the Process
of Error Identification to eliminate wrong answer
choices.
Step 3: Second, if necessary, consider the two statements
together.
Click on the MBA Center logo to end this lesson and return to the MBA
Center home page.

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The MBA Center

Previous Click on the Previous Screen button and try

To crack them, you’ll need the following:

2. Each DS problem contains two statements. These represent

3. Answer choices are the same for all Data Sufficiency

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement

Do memorize the answer choices in their proper order.

That’s no good. (1)2 = 1, but (– 1)2 = 1 too!

Remember the quadratic equations we looked at in the Problem

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

(E) Statement (1) and statement (2) COMBINED are not

(A) Statement (1) BY ITSELF is sufficient, but statement (2)

The preceding quadratic equations were

The answer is (B).

The answer is (A).

(1) 75 percent of the lawn is mowed.

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or

And what’s the total area of the lawn?

Never solve a Data Sufficiency

At no time will you ever be asked to actually solve a DS problem.

area mowed = x% of total area

Now, examine each statement separately, eliminating answer

☞ Statement 1: not suff. Statement 1:

Use this flow Eliminat Eliminat

Consider both statements together

Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer

The flow Eliminat Eliminat

Consider both statements together

Answer Answer Answer Answer Answer

Following the MBA Center approach is a proven method which

Step 2: Examine the statements separately, eliminating wrong

Step 3: If necessary, consider the statements together

If x and y are positive integers, what is the value of x +

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

If x and y are positive integers, is x + y less

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

If x and y are positive integers, is x + y less

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

If x and y Statement 1 Statement 2

The first, a value question, should be familiar to

If x and y are positive integers, what is the value of x +

For yes-or-no questions:

Is the odd integer x a prime number?

(1) x + 2 is a prime number.

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

Is the integer m odd ?

(1) m is a multiple of both 3 and 7.

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient to answer the

(E) Statements (1) and (2), alone or combined, are not

Only an odd integer can satisfy the

Statement (2) alone is sufficient to answer the question.

Statement (2) gives us the value of b . This

(1) Seven years ago Lydia was exactly twice as