“Identifying facts” questions will give you a list of information and then ask you:
Which of the following facts can be determined from the information above?
So, some of the questions on your reasoning or math test may involve identifying which facts that can be determined from the information provided.
“Identifying facts” questions are similar to those types of questions that ask you to determine if sufficient information is provided to solve the problem.
You will have to use logical deduction skills to solve “identifying facts” questions.
Identifying Facts − How to Use General Data
(1) Read the information below and answer the question that follows:
- A dance studio has 132 students at the beginning of the year.
- 52 students are taking the zumba class, 38 are taking the waltz class, 22 are taking the swing class, and 20 are taking other classes.
- By the end of the year, 5 of the students in the zumba class and 4 of the students in the waltz class have dropped out of the academy.
- In addition, 6 new students have joined the academy.
Which of the following facts can be determined from the information above?
A. The total number of students in the academy at the end of the year.
B. The number of students in the zumba class at the end of the year.
C. The number of students in the waltz class at the end of the year.
D. The number of students in the swing class at the end of the year.
E. The number of students in the academy in other classes at the end of the year.
We do not know which classes the 6 new students have joined.
We only have the general information that 6 students have joined the academy.
For this reason, we cannot determine the specific number of students in any particular class at the end of the year.
We can only determine the total number of students enrolled at the academy at the end of the year.
So, the correct answer is A.
Identifying Facts − How to Use Specific Data
(2) Read the information below and answer the question that follows:
- A store has 80 men’s sweaters for sale when it opens for business on Monday morning.
- These 80 sweaters consist of 15 blue sweaters, 25 brown sweaters, and 40 black sweaters.
- At the close of business on Monday, 45 sweaters have been sold, which included 10 blue sweaters.
Which of the following facts can be determined from the information above?
A. The amount of men’s sweaters that the store normally sells.
B. The average price for a men’s sweater.
C. The amount of blue sweaters left in the store at the close of business on Monday.
D. The amount of brown sweaters left in the store at the close of business on Monday.
E. The amount of black sweaters left in the store at the close of business on Monday.
We know that there were 15 blue sweaters available when the store opened.
Then, 10 blue sweaters were sold.
We do not know specifically how many brown or black sweaters were sold.
So, the correct answer is C.