Consider the following statements:
- I.If A ≤ B > C < D > E > F ≥ G = H; then B is always greater than E.
- II.If P > Q = R ≥ S = T ≤ U = V > W; then S is always less than V.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Neither I nor II
A comparison is certain only when every sign between the two letters points the same way. B and E are separated by a change of direction at C, and S = T ≤ U = V allows S to equal V, so neither conclusion is always true.
- Statement I: between B and E the chain reads B > C < D > E. The direction changes at C, so B and E cannot be compared.
- Example: B = 5, C = 1, D = 10, E = 8 fits the chain, and here B is less than E. So I is not always true.
- Statement II: between S and V the chain reads S = T ≤ U = V, which gives only S ≤ V.
- If T = U, then S = V, so S is not always less than V. II is also not always true.
- Neither statement is correct.
- ✗ I B > C and D > E, but C < D breaks the chain; B can be smaller than, equal to or larger than E.
- ✗ II S = T ≤ U = V gives S ≤ V, so S may equal V; 'always less than' does not follow.
Remember · Trace the signs between the two letters: a change of direction means no conclusion; any ≤ or ≥ rules out strict < or >.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·