ov25 wrote:In a number line, there are points M, N, P and Q not necessarily in that order. If MN=15, NP=5, MQ=12, which of the following could be the distance between P and Q?
I) 2
II) 8
III) 22
A) I only
B) II only
C) III only
D) II and III
E) I, II and III
I tend to waste a lot of time to solve these questions. Is there a quick combination type method to encompass all the possibilities for solving such questions quickly? Appreciate your time
a potential speed-up is process of Elimination = eliminate answer choices as you come up with possible results.
Begin with the most banal, linear setting: Start with M, move 15 to the right to find N, add another 5 to get P. P is now 20 from M. With the last bit of MQ=12, we get that PQ=8, So II is a possible.
Before you move on, ask: Which answer choices can we eliminate? any answer choice that does not include II is gone, so we eliminate A and C, and are down to B, D and E.
Now shift one element of your chosen configuration: Start with M, move 15 to the right to find N, but now move 5 to the left to find P. P is now 15-5=10 away from M. With the last bit of MQ=12, we get that PQ=2, So I is a possible.
Again, now ask: Between B, D, E, what can we eliminate now? Everything that doesn't contain I is gone, so B and D are out, and we can choose E and move on - no need to search for a distance of 22.
In "statements" questions, it is better to eliminate answer choices as you go - you just might find that one (or more) of the statements does not need to be addressed because of POE.
