Tips to Solve Inequalities Problems in Reasoning Section

TYPE I: Indirect inequalities

In this you are given inequalities in indirect way like

‘P # Q’ means ‘P is neither greater than nor equal to Q’.

‘P © Q’ means ‘P is neither equal to nor smaller than Q’.

‘P % Q’ means ‘P is neither smaller than nor greater than Q’

‘P $ Q’ means ‘P is not smaller than Q’.

‘P @ Q’ means ‘P is not greater than Q’.

When this type of information is given, first write on the paper what these symbols mean, like here

# means <

© means >

% means =

$ means ≥

@ means ≤

Example statement: L $ T, T % P, K © P

Now write the relation between elements in a single line by checking the above meanings of symbol as L ≥ T = P < K [Here K > P, but to write in a single line we will write as P < K]

Conclusions:         I. P @ L                    II. L © K                   III. L @ K

I – L ≥ T = P means L ≥ P which is conclusion I P ≤ L, so I is true.

II – L ≥ T < K, so we know there is no relationship between L and K, so II if false.

III – L ≥ T < K, so we know there is no relationship between L and K, so III if false.

But II and III make either or pair, so answer is – I and either II or III follow.

TYPE 2: Direct Inequalities

In questions where direct inequalities are given in the statement itself, u need not form the relationship between elements like in above example. In these we will make relationship between elements in which conclusion is to be find.

Example Statement: A < P ≤ Q, L > Q < K, P ≥ O 

Conclusions:       I. K ≥ O               II. L > O

K > Q ≥ P ≥ O, so K > O, so I is false

L > Q ≥ P ≥ O so L > O, so II is true