How to Solve Inequality Questions for Bank Exams?

Inequality questions are scoring topics in the bank exams and other competitive exams.

Solving the inequality section will boost the marks of aspirants and their chances of getting through any of the bank exams. In this article, let’s understand how to solve inequality questions in the shortest time to get the maximum correct answers.

Inequality questions types in Reasoning

The major types of questions asked in the inequality section are

1. Direct questions
2. Coded options

Direct Questions – In direct questions, the symbols are provided to the candidates, and the relationship between them is indicated using signs such as >, =, and so on. For instance, A>B=CD

Coded Questions – In the new style of inequality questions, which is currently being asked in all major examinations, each term is denoted by a symbol. They may, for example, provide “A@B,” where @ denotes that A is neither larger than nor equal to B.

When a set of options is provided with a specific coded connection expressed by, >, =, or, such queries fall under the domain of reasoning inequality. 

Basically, in the Inequality section, a few statements are presented that describe the relationship between several variables, followed by some conclusions, and you must determine which of the conclusions are offered by the statements and respond accordingly.

Tips to solve inequality questions for bank exams

1. Understand the symbols and infer their meanings in the question.

The key symbols used in the inequality section are as follows:

1. Remember the priority of symbols

• Priority 1: < or >
• Priority 2: ≥ or ≤
• Priority 3: =

In a statement, if you get both the priority 1 in the opposite order (A>B<C), there will be a conflict and thus no inference.

When the sign among the given variables changes, there are multiple possibilities.

For instance,

• A > B < C – Here, A > B and C > B hold true. No relationship can be established between A and C.
• A ≥ B < C – Here following conclusions may be drawn –
  (a) A > B and C > B hold true. No relationship can be established between A and C.
  (b) C > B and C > A when  A = B holds true.
• A ≥ B ≤ C – Here, the following inferences may be drawn –
  (a) A > B, C > B, and there no relationship can be established between A and C.
  (b) A = C when B = C
  (c) A > B and A > C when  B = C
  (d) C > B and C > A when A = B

Things to remember while answering the inequality section

• When the signs between the variables in a given statement change, the link cannot be proven until a case of either/or is provided in conclusion.
• If the variables have a similar sign, a link may be created between them. For example, A > B > C D E is a connection that can be found for all of the supplied variables.
• However, ensure that the comparable sign does not break while deriving inferences from the presented conclusions. Consider the following example: A > B > C D E. In this case, A > D or A > E is correct, but A D or A E is incorrect since the sign > breaks the continuity and is substituted by the given sentence.

Questions on inequality for bank exams

Directions (Q1 – Q5): Each of the given questions comprises one statement followed by two inferences. Determine which of the following conclusions is correct.

Q 1. 

Statement: A > F ≤ C = D < E

Conclusion I: A > E

Conclusion II: F < E

1. Only conclusion I is true
2. Only conclusion II is true
3. Both conclusions I and II are true
4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
5. Either conclusion I or II is true

Q 2. 

Statement: P > Q, X ≤ R < S, S > P

Conclusion I: P ≤ R

Conclusion II: X > S

1. Only conclusion I is true
2. Only conclusion II is true
3. Both conclusions I and II are true
4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
5. Either conclusion I or II is true

Q 3. 

Statement: V ≤ X > Y ≤ U = Z > O

Conclusion I: Y < Z

Conclusion II: Y = Z

1. Only conclusion I is true
2. Only conclusion II is true
3. Both conclusions I and II are true
4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
5. Either conclusion I or II is true

Q 4. 

Statement: C = B ≥ A ≤ D = E

Conclusion I: C = X

Conclusion II: C < D

1. Only conclusion I is true
2. Only conclusion II is true
3. Both conclusions I and II are true
4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
5. Either conclusion I or II is true

Q 5.

Statement: L > M, M ≤ O = N, L = Q < K

Conclusion I: K > M

Conclusion II: O ≤ K

1. Only conclusion I is true
2. Only conclusion II is true
3. Both conclusions I and II are true
4. Neither conclusion I nor II is true
5. Either conclusion I or II is true

Given below are some logical reasoning concepts for practice: