Question

There are four envelopes — E₁, E₂, E₃ and E₄ — in which one was supposed to put letters L₁, L₂, L₃ and L₄ meant for persons C₁, C₂, C₃ and C₄ respectively, but by mistake the letters got jumbled up and went in wrong envelopes. Now if C₂ is allowed to open an envelope at random, then how will he identify the envelope containing the letter for him?

I. L₂ has been put in E₁.

II. The letter belonging to C₃ has gone in the correct envelope.

• A. if the question can be answered with the help of any one statement alone but not by the other statement.
• B. if the question can be answered with the help of either of the statements taken individually.
• C. if the question can be answered with the help of both statements together.
• D. if the question cannot be answered even with the help of both statements together.

Hint:

Check whether one statement alone determines the required outcome; discard the other if it doesn't add new info.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Statement I tells us directly where \(L_2\) has been placed — in envelope \(E_1\). Since \(C_2\) is looking for \(L_2\), and now he knows it’s in \(E_1\), this is sufficient to answer the question. Statement II merely states that the letter belonging to \(C_3\) (i.e., \(L_3\)) is in the correct envelope \((E_3).\) But this does not help \(C_2\) in identifying where his own letter \((L_2) \)has gone. So, Statement I alone is sufficient, but Statement II alone is not.