A is the smallest. C is taller than B and D. E is neither the tallest nor the smallest. Find which one is the tallest?

Appeared in: KGMU 2023

Explanation

The problem requires identifying the tallest person from a group of five (A, B, C, D, E) based on relative height comparisons.
The statement 'C is taller than B and D' immediately establishes that neither B nor D can be the tallest.
The statement 'E is neither the tallest nor the smallest' explicitly eliminates E as the tallest.
The statement 'A is the smallest' eliminates A.
Through the process of elimination, A, B, D, and E are all ruled out as being the tallest, leaving C as the only possible answer.

Option A: The statement 'C is taller than B and D' directly proves that B cannot be the tallest person, as C is taller.
Option B: The statement 'C is taller than B and D' also proves that D cannot be the tallest, as C is taller.
Option D: The statement 'E is neither the tallest nor the smallest' explicitly disqualifies E from being the tallest.

Visual 1: Diagram - A simple height chart or diagram showing the five individuals arranged from shortest to tallest, illustrating the final deduced order.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A flowchart demonstrating the step-by-step process of elimination based on each clue to arrive at the final answer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Ordering and Ranking as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, this type of logical reasoning is a critical skill for nurses.
Nurses use deductive reasoning daily to prioritize tasks, interpret patient symptoms, and make sound clinical judgments based on multiple pieces of information.
For example, a nurse might deduce the most likely cause of a patient's distress by eliminating other possibilities based on vital signs, lab results, and patient history.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify all the entities involved in the comparison (in this case, the people A, B, C, D, and E).
Translate each statement into a logical or mathematical relationship (e.g., 'C is taller than B' becomes C > B).
Use the process of elimination. For each statement, determine which individuals can be ruled out from being the 'tallest'.
Keep track of the eliminated options. The person who is not eliminated by any of the statements is the correct answer.
Double-check your conclusion against all the given statements to ensure there are no contradictions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Logical Reasoning: Ordering and Ranking
Stem keywords: smallest, taller than, tallest, neither the tallest nor the smallest
Lead-in keywords: Find which one is the tallest

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Practise the full KGMU 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.