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Q7778/80Q79
Q78·CSAT · Prelims 2025

Data sufficiency - smallest number with 4 factors

DI / DSData SufficiencyData sufficiencyMedium

Question

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?

Options

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.

Answer

Explanation

List all 1-digit numbers and count their distinct factors: 1: {1} (1 factor) 2, 3, 5, 7: Prime numbers (2 factors) 4: {1, 2, 4} (3 factors) 9: {1, 3, 9} (3 factors) 6: {1, 2, 3, 6} (4 factors) 8: {1, 2, 4, 8} (4 factors) The only 1-digit numbers with exactly four distinct factors are 6 and 8. The prompt specifically asks for the "smallest" one, which is indisputably 6. Because this is a static mathematical fact derived directly from the question prompt, neither Statement I nor Statement II is required to find the answer.

In Data Sufficiency, before evaluating the statements, always check if the core question contains a rigid mathematical definition that provides a single, unambiguous answer on its own.

Answer: (d).

Question details

Year

2025

Paper

CSAT

Question

Q78

Section

Data Interpretation & Sufficiency

Sub-topic

Data Sufficiency

Type

Data sufficiency

Difficulty

Medium

Source hint

Data sufficiency

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