Question

X is older than Y, Z is younger than W, and V is older than Y. Is Z younger than X?
I. W may not be older than V.
II. W is not older than V.

• A. if the question can be answered with the help of statement I alone
• B. if the question can be answered with the help of statement II alone
• C. if both statement I and statement II are needed to answer the question
• D. if the statement cannot be answered even with the help of both the statements

Hint:

For comparison problems, you must establish a complete order chain without ambiguities; otherwise, the relation remains undetermined.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

We know initially: X > Y, Z < W, V > Y. We need to know if Z < X.
From Statement I: "W may not be older than V" is ambiguous — it could mean W is younger than or equal to V, or possibly older. This does not fix W’s position relative to X or Z, so no conclusion.
From Statement II: "W is not older than V" means W $\le$ V, but V is only known to be older than Y. There is no fixed relation between V and X, so Z’s relation to X remains unknown.
Combining both: The ambiguity in Statement I and the limited info in Statement II do not fix the age chain enough to compare Z with X. Multiple scenarios are possible — Z could be older or younger than X depending on W and V’s relative ages to X. Hence, even together they are insufficient.