A question is given followed by two Statements I and II. Consider the Question and the Statements and mark the correct option.
Question:
What is the smallest 1-digit number having exactly 4 distinct factors?
- Statement I: 2 is one of the factors.
- Statement II: 3 is one of the factors.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) The Question can be answered even without using any of the Statements.
Among one-digit numbers only 6 (factors 1, 2, 3, 6) and 8 (factors 1, 2, 4, 8) have exactly four factors, so the smallest is 6. The question answers itself; the statements add nothing.
- List factor counts for 1–9: only 6 (1, 2, 3, 6) and 8 (1, 2, 4, 8) have exactly 4 factors.
- The smallest such number is 6 — found from the question alone.
- The statements (2 and 3 are factors) are true of 6 but are not needed.
- ✗ Statement I Not needed: the question already fixes the answer as 6.
- ✗ Statement II Not needed: 6 is found without it.
Remember · In data sufficiency, first try the question alone; if it is already settled, choose 'even without using any of the Statements'.
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). ·