Questions
3 questions per paper
Difficulty
Easy
Importance
High yield for banking and SSC exams
Overview
Inequality tests your ability to determine the logical relationship between variables using symbols like >, <, =, ≤, and ≥. It is a high-scoring section in reasoning papers that demands speed and accuracy to secure marks within seconds. The core idea is to master the hierarchy of symbols and directional logic without needing to solve for exact values.
The Symbol Hierarchy
To solve direct inequalities, you must understand which symbols hold priority when comparing two elements. If multiple symbols appear between two variables, the symbol with the highest priority dictates the result.
- > or < holds the highest priority (Rank 1)
- ≥ or ≤ holds the second priority (Rank 2)
- = holds the lowest priority (Rank 3)
- If Rank 1 and Rank 2 are present, Rank 1 wins
- If Rank 2 and Rank 3 are present, Rank 2 wins
- Conflict occurs if opposite symbols exist, e.g., > and <
Direct Inequality Tactics
Direct inequality problems present variables in a straightforward expression where you simply scan the path between elements. Speed-solving involves ignoring the entire expression and focusing only on the path connecting the target variables.
- Check for path continuity; if a break exists, no conclusion is possible
- Verify the direction of inequality signs
- The conclusion must hold true for all possibilities in the given statement
- Practice using the 'door' analogy: if the gate is closed, you cannot pass
Coded Inequality Techniques
Coded inequality replaces standard symbols with cryptic characters like @, #, $, or %. Aspirants must decode these into standard symbols using a provided grid before applying standard logic.
- Always draw the symbol table first to avoid mapping errors
- Use the 'box method' to visualize opposites: > opposite is ≤, < opposite is ≥
- Decode systematically to ensure no sign is misread under time pressure
- Work backwards from the answer choices if the statement is complex
Special Cases: Either-Or Conditions
The 'Either-Or' condition arises when neither conclusion is definitely true individually, but they form a complete relationship when combined. This is a common trap that requires careful checking of individual elements.
- Both conclusions must be individually false (cannot be determined)
- The variables in both conclusions must be identical
- The combination of the two conclusions must satisfy the original statement
- Example: A > B and A = B combined satisfy A ≥ B
Exam Tip
Treat the > and < symbols as 'priority gates' and solve by simply identifying the highest priority symbol in the path; never solve for actual numbers.
Common Mistakes
- Misinterpreting symbols during the decoding phase of Coded Inequality questions.
- Ignoring the priority order and assuming all symbols carry equal weight.
- Forgetting to check the 'Either-Or' condition when both conclusions appear false.
More Revision Notes
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