Last Updated on May 6, 2023
GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE DS
Solution:
We must determine how many individuals are directors for both Company K and Company R. To solve this “overlapping sets” problem, we can employ the following equation:
Total Directors = Directors in Company K + Directors in Company R – Directors in both companies K and R
Statement One Alone:
There were 17 directors present at joint meeting of the directors of Company K and Company R, and no directors were absent.
From statement one we know that there are 17 total directors. This is not enough information to determine how many individuals are directors of both Company K and Company R. Statement one alone is not sufficient to answer the question. We can eliminate answer choices A and D.
Statement Two Alone:
Company K has 12 directors and Company R has 8 directors.
Although we know that Company K has 12 directors and Company R has 8 directors, we still do not have enough information to determine how many individuals are directors of both Company K and Company R. Statement two is not sufficient to answer the question. We can eliminate answer choice B.
Statements One and Two Together:
From statements one and two we know that there are 17 total directors and that Company K has 12 directors and Company R has 8 directors. We can use this information in the original equation to determine the number of individuals who are directors of both Company K and Company R.
Total Directors = Directors in Company K + Directors in Company R – Directors of both companies K and R
17 = 12 + 8 – Both
17 = 20 – Both
Both = 3
There are 3 individuals who are directors of both Company R and Company K.
Answer: C
