Consider the Question and two Statements given below in respect of three cities P, Q and R in a State:
- Question: How far is city P from city Q?
- Statement–1: City Q is 18 km from city R.
- Statement–2: City P is 43 km from city R.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Both Statement–1 and Statement–2 are not sufficient to answer the Question
Distances from R to P and to Q fix the distance PQ only if we know their directions from R. Without directions, PQ can be anything from 43 − 18 = 25 km to 43 + 18 = 61 km.
- Statement–1 gives only QR = 18 km and Statement–2 gives only PR = 43 km; neither alone mentions PQ.
- Together: if P and Q lie on the same side of R in a straight line, PQ = 43 − 18 = 25 km; on opposite sides, PQ = 43 + 18 = 61 km; in other directions, anything in between.
- PQ is not fixed, so both statements together are still not sufficient.
Remember · Two distances from a common point give only a range (difference to sum) unless directions are known.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2022, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·