BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

Aristotle DS - Both sufficient but different answers

Expert replies
by tommarquez » Sat Apr 21, 2012 11:14 pm
Hi folks - really need your help. When both the options of a DS question are sufficient but lead to different answers, should we choose D (each alone is sufficient) or E (not sufficient)?

For example, here is a question and its solution from Aristotle:
5. Five people - Adam, Bob, Craig, Daniel and Evan - are of different ages. Daniel is
younger than both Adam and Craig. Craig is younger than Bob but older than Evan.
Who among the five is the oldest?
(1) The average age of Adam and Bob is less than the average age of Craig and
Evan.
(2) The average age of Bob and Craig is less than the average age of Adam and
Evan.

Explanation:
Let the ages of Adam, Bob, Craig, Daniel and Evan be A, B, C, D and E.
Now D < A, C
E < C < B
Statement (1)
(A+B)/2 < (C+E)/2
A + B < C + E
But, B > C > E (given)
Therefore A has to be less than E to make the equality in Statement (1) true.
Hence D < A < E < C < B.
B is oldest; SUFFICIENT
Statement (2)
(B+C) / 2 < (A+E) / 2
B + C < A + E
But, B > C > E (given)
Therefore A has to be greater than B to make the equality in Statement (2) true.
Hence D < E < C < B < A.
A is oldest; SUFFICIENT
The correct answer is D;
each statement alone is sufficient.

Aristotle says you should choose D but I'm not convinced. Is there any official stance of the GMAT on this?

Thanks a ton in advance!
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by Mr Smith » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:18 am
In my experience, all DS questions in which both statements lead to an answer usually lead to the same one.

but Strictly speaking, It is nowhere mentioned in the GMAT (at least I have never come across such statement) that both should lead to the same answer for choosing D.

My advice: If you come across such scenario in which both statements lead to different answers, double check your working and solution. If you are still convinced that both can lead to answers (though different ones), I'd say, go with D.
Kindly Use Thanks Button as liberally as you receive replies. :)

Mr. Smith
Join the discussion