Andy has 20 pairs of matched gloves.

Andy has 20 pairs of matched gloves. If he loses 12 individual gloves, which of the following is NOT a possible number of matched pairs he has left?

Quiz

Answer/Solution

15

Steps/Work

We can solve this is second. The question isSelect an answer choice where there is no possibility of having a number as a matched pair
Once you understand the question, You have to choose an answer choice in seconds. Answer will be either it is minimum (A - 9) or maximum (E - 15). Eliminate B,C and D. Since 12 gloves are gone, we can ignore A and straight away choose the maximum [Here its 15 i.e E]
Since there cant be any ambigous answer it should be minimum or maximum in the listed answer choice.
Now mathematical approach for understanding:
Case1: If 12 gloves are gone the maximum probability of losing maximum gloves is 12 pairs of gloves out of 20. This means i m having 8 pairs of gloves. [Minimum number of gloves i can have is 8 pairs]
Case2: If 12 gloves are gone the maximum probability of losing minimum gloves is 12/2 = 6 means i can lose 6 glove. in this scenario i will be having 14 gloves.
Hence10 < Available Glove Pair < 15
any given time I cant possess 15 glove pair for the above mentioned scenario. And thats the answer. E.