Consider the following statements:
- 1.Either A and B are of the same age or A is older than B
- 2.Either C and D are of the same age or D is older than C
- 3.B is older than C
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) A is older than C
Statement 1 gives A ≥ B and statement 3 gives B > C, so A is certainly older than C. Each other option rests on an 'either … or' that may go the other way, or on a comparison the statements never make.
- Statement 1: A ≥ B. Statement 2: D ≥ C. Statement 3: B > C.
- Chain: A ≥ B > C, so A > C.
- Check the rest: A may equal B; D may equal C; B and D are never compared.
- ✗ (a) A and B may be of the same age.
- ✗ (b) Nothing compares B with D.
- ✗ (c) C and D may be of the same age.
- ✓ (d) A ≥ B and B > C give A > C.
Remember · Write 'either the same age or older' as ≥, then chain the signs; one strict > in the chain makes the result strict.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2016, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·