UPSC Prelims 2022 · CSAT

Question 37: Data Interpretation

Consider the Question and two Statements given below in respect of three cities P, Q and R in a State :

QuestionHow far is city P from city Q?
Statement–1City Q is 18 km from city R.
Statement–2City P is 43 km from city R.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?

aStatement–1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

bStatement–2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question

cBoth Statement–1 and Statement–2 are sufficient to answer the Question

dBoth Statement–1 and Statement–2 are not sufficient to answer the Question

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

P, Q and R need not lie on a straight line, and the question asks for the distance from P to Q. Statement 1 gives Q to R only; statement 2 gives P to R only. Together, P and Q lie on circles around R of radius 43 km and 18 km, so PQ can be anything from 25 km (same direction from R) to 61 km (opposite directions), depending on the angle at R. It cannot be fixed.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Fails: it gives only the distance from Q to R.
(b) Fails: it gives only the distance from P to R.
(c) Fails: with both, P to Q ranges from 25 km to 61 km depending on direction.
(d) Correct: the angle at R is unknown, so P to Q is not fixed.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.