IBPS PO Data Sufficiency — Maths — Study Material & 1 Practice MCQs | ZestExam
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IBPS PO Data Sufficiency — Maths
Study Material · Concept Notes · Shortcuts
This page covers IBPS PO Data Sufficiency — Maths with complete concept notes, 1 graded practice MCQs, key points and exam-specific tips. Free to study.
Data Sufficiency questions give you a problem followed by two statements (I and II). Your job is to determine which statement(s) provide enough information to solve the problem
→You have 5 standard answer choices
(A) Statement I alone is sufficient, (B) Statement II alone is sufficient, (C) Both statements together are sufficient, (D) Each statement alone is sufficient, (E) Both statements together are insufficient
💡Key Rules
First, read the question carefully and identify what you need to find. Then examine each statement separately. Check if Statement I alone gives enough data. Next, check if Statement II alone gives enough data.
If neither works alone, see if combining both statements helps. Remember, you're not calculating the final answer - just checking if calculation is possible.
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Exam Patterns
What examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs
SSC CGL regularly tests data sufficiency with topics like ages, profit-loss, time-work, geometry, and averages. Common question types include finding unknown values, comparing quantities, or determining relationships between variables. Most questions follow the standard 5-option format.
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Shortcuts
Use these to save 30–60 seconds per question
Use the 'Elimination Method'. Start by checking if each statement individually has enough unique information. If Statement I gives multiple possible answers, it's insufficient.
If Statement II also gives multiple answers, check if combining both narrows it to one answer. This saves time over detailed calculations.
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Worked Example
Solve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1
Identify what we need - Rahul's exact age.
2
Step 2
Check Statement I alone. 'Rahul is 5 years older than Priya' gives us R = P + 5, but we don't know P's value. This creates infinite possibilities. Statement I alone is insufficient.
3
Step 3
Check Statement II alone. 'Sum of ages is 35' gives us R + P = 35, but we don't know individual ages. Statement II alone is insufficient.
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Step 4
Check both together. From I: R = P + 5. From II: R + P = 35. Substituting: (P + 5) + P = 35, so 2P = 30, P = 15, R = 20. Both statements together give unique answer.
Answer: (C) Both statements together are sufficient.
Common Mistake: Students often start calculating the complete answer instead of just checking sufficiency. Another trap is assuming additional information not given in statements. Stick only to provided data.
Test Data Sufficiency — Maths under exam conditions
Question: What is the two-digit number?
Statement I: The number is a perfect square and the sum of its digits is 10.
Statement II: The number is even and greater than 80.
Choose the correct option:
a) Statement I alone is sufficient
b) Statement II alone is sufficient
c) Both statements together are sufficient
d) Neither statement alone nor together is sufficient
60-Second Revision — Data Sufficiency — Maths
Remember: Check each statement individually first, then combine if needed
Trap: Don't calculate final answers, only check if calculation is possible
Formula: Sufficient = exactly one unique answer possible
Strategy: Use elimination method to save time on complex calculations
Warning: Never assume information not explicitly given in statements
Pattern: Most SSC questions test basic arithmetic and algebra concepts