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UPSC Prelims 2025CSATGeneral Mental AbilityData Sufficiency - Number System

Q58. 58. A question is given followed by two Statements I and
II. Consider the Question and the Statements and mark the correct option. Question: What is the smallest 1-digit number having exactly 4 distinct factors?
Statement I: 2 is one of the factors.
Statement II: 3 is one of the factors.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above Question and the Statements?

A. The Question can be answered by using one of the Statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other statement alone.
B. The Question can be answered by using either Statement alone.
C. The Question can be answered by using both the Statements together, but cannot be answered using either Statement alone.
D. The Question can be answered even without using any of the Statements.✓ Correct

Detailed Solution

✓ Correct Answer: Option D

The question asks for the smallest 1-digit number having exactly 4 distinct factors. Let's list 1-digit numbers and their factors: * 1: (1) - 1 factor * 2: (1, 2) - 2 factors * 3: (1, 3) - 2 factors * 4: (1, 2, 4) - 3 factors * 5: (1, 5) - 2 factors * 6: (1, 2, 3, 6) - 4 factors * 7: (1, 7) - 2 factors * 8: (1, 2, 4, 8) - 4 factors * 9: (1, 3, 9) - 3 factors From this list, the 1-digit numbers with exactly 4 distinct factors are 6 and 8.

The smallest among these is 6. We were able to determine this answer directly from the question itself, without needing any additional information from Statement I or Statement II. Therefore, the question can be answered even without using any of the statements.

This is a data sufficiency question where the core question is solvable independently.

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