CAT DILR Questions | CAT Analytical Reasoning questions

Comprehension

Directions for Questions : Study the information below and answer questions based on it.

In a locality, there are five small towns, A, B, C, D and E. The distances of these towns from each other are as follows:

AB = 2 km    AC = 2km    AD > 2km    AE > 3km    BC = 2km    BD = 4 km    BE = 3km    CD = 2km    CE= 3km    DE > 3km

CAT/1996

Question . 304

If a ration shop is to be set up within 2 km of each city, how many ration shops will be required?

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Explanatory Answer

Method of solving this CAT DILR Question from Analytical Reasoning question

(a) We do not know the exact distances in case of AD, AE and DE. Since these three cities form a triangle, AC + CD > AD hence, AD < 4. Now let us find about A-C-E. AC + CE > AE . Hence, AE < 5. Now considering C - D -E, we have CD + CE > DE. Hence, DE < 5. Thus, the minimum distance between any two cities is 2 km and the maximum distance does not exceed 5 kms. If we want a ration shop within 2km of each city, we will require one shop as long as the distance between any two cities does not exceed 4 km. The only cities which can be more than 4 km from each other are AE and DE. Since city E is common to both. Hence, one shop will be able to cater to these three. Hence, total number of shops required = 2.