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Difficulty: MediumStatement Independence Evaluation and Statement Combination

In a GMAT Data Sufficiency problem, if Statement (1) alone does not provide sufficient information to answer the question stem, but Statement (2) alone provides sufficient information, combining both statements is required to establish overall sufficiency.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is False. Statement (2) alone is evaluated independently of Statement (1). If Statement (2) alone provides sufficient information to answer the question stem, it is sufficient by itself, and combining both statements is neither required nor correct.
The statement is false because Data Sufficiency evaluation follows a strict sequence: evaluate Statement 1 alone, evaluate Statement 2 alone (disregarding Statement 1), and only combine the statements if both individual statements are insufficient. When Statement 2 alone is sufficient, no statement combination is needed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement (1) independently
Statement (1) is determined to be insufficient.
Each statement must first be evaluated on its own merits without relying on information from the other statement.
2
Evaluate Statement (2) independently
Statement (2) is determined to be sufficient.
Statement (2) must be evaluated without carrying over any information or constraints from Statement (1).
3
Determine the Data Sufficiency decision logic outcome
Since Statement (2) alone is sufficient while Statement (1) alone is not, the evaluation stops and Statement (2) alone is the correct outcome.
Combining statements is reserved exclusively for scenarios where neither statement alone is sufficient to answer the question stem.

Key Concept

Statement Independence and Data Sufficiency Decision Logic
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Topics

Statement Independence Evaluation and Statement Combination

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