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Tips to Solve Equality-Inequality Questions in Reasoning Section

EQUALITY – INEQUALITY

In these types of questions, some statements are provided using English alphabets and

symbols and some questions are asked on the basis of symbolic information.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

 If in a statement both ≥ and > are present continuously, then it is taken as ‘>’

A≥B>C, then A>C

 Similarly, A≤B≺C then A<C

 If in a statement both > and < are used in opposite directions then there is no

relation between the alphabets

A>B<C, then there is no relation between A and C

Same is true for the A≥B≤C; A≤B≥C; A≺B>C => no relation

 If minimum 2-conclusions (in some questions more than 2 conclusions will be

given) in a question are False and both the conclusion consists of the same

alphabets, then the answer will be ‘either Conclusion I or II is true’

Ex. I. A>B is false Same

II. B≥A is false alphabets

Then ANSWER: either Conclusion I or II is True

 If minimum 2-conclusions are false and both the conclusions consists of

different alphabets, then the answer will be ‘neither Conclusion I or II is true’

EXAMPLE

Directions to answer Question 1 to 5:

Certain symbols have been used to indicate relationships between elements as follows:

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A$B means A is greater than B => A>B

A@B means A is smaller than B => A≺B

A*B means A is either greater than or equal to B => A≥B

A#B means A is either smaller than or equal to B => A≤B

A%B means A is neither smaller than nor greater than B => A=B

In each question, three statements showing relationships are given followed by 2-

conclusions I and II. Assuming that the given statements are true, find out which

conclusion is or are definitely true.

Mark answer (1) if only Conclusion I is true

Mark answer (2) if only Conclusion II is true

Mark answer (3) if either Conclusion I or II is true

Mark answer (4) if neither Conclusion I nor II is true

Mark answer (5) if both Conclusions I and II are true

QUESTION 1:

Statements: T#V; V$X; X*Y

Conclusions: I. V$Y

II. X#T

SOLUTION: Substitute the symbols given in the statements using the directions given

above

T#V = T is either smaller than or equal to V => T≤V

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V$X = V is greater than X => V>X

X*Y = X is greater than or equal to Y => X≥Y

Connect the three statements using the common alphabets

Statement: T≤V>X≥Y

To Check conclusion I. V$Y = V>Y

From the statement, the relation between V and Y is as follows.

V>X≥Y which proves that V>Y. Hence Conclusion I is TRUE

Conclusion: II. X#T = X≤T

From the statement, T≤V>X opposite directions of symbol hence there is no relation

between T and X

Therefore, Conclusion II is FALSE

ANSWER: (1) if conclusion I is true

Similarly, Answer will be (2) if Conclusion II is TRUE and Conclusion I is FALSE

(5) if both Conclusion I and II are TRUE

QUESTION 2:

Statements: L#M; M@N; N$P

Conclusions: I. L#N

II. M*P

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SOLUTION: Substitute the symbols given in the statements using the directions given

above

L#M => L≤M

M@N => M<N

N$P => N>P

Connect the three statements using the common alphabets

Statement: L≤M<N>P

To check conclusion I. L#N = L≤N

From the statement, L≤M<N which proves that L<N. Hence Conclusion I is FALSE

Conclusion: II. M*P = M≥P

From the statement, M<N>P opposite directions of symbol hence there is no relation

between M and P

Therefore, Conclusion II is FALSE

Both the Conclusions consists of different alphabets

ANSWER: (4) if neither conclusion I nor II is true

QUESTION 3:

Statements: F*G; G%H; H$K

Conclusions: I. H@F

II. F%H

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SOLUTION: Substitute the symbols given in the statements using the directions given

above

F*G => F≥G

G%H => G=H

H$K => H>K

Connect the three statements using the common alphabets

Statement: F≥G=H>K

To check conclusion I. H@F= H<F

From the statement, F≥G=H which proves that H≤F. Hence Conclusion I is FALSE

Conclusion: II. F%H=> F=H

From the statement, F≥G=H, which proves that F≥H. Hence FALSE

Therefore, Conclusion II is FALSE

Both the Conclusions consist of the same alphabets even though both are false.

ANSWER: (3) if either conclusion I or II is true

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