{"id":13554,"date":"2021-09-16T22:43:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T17:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/?p=13554"},"modified":"2022-11-18T19:13:25","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T13:43:25","slug":"what-are-sufficient-but-not-necessary-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-gmat.com\/blogs\/what-are-sufficient-but-not-necessary-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Sufficient but not Necessary Conditions?"},"content":{"rendered":"A <\/span> 12<\/span> min read <\/span><\/span>\n

In GMAT CR, connectives like \u201cif\u2026.then\u201d, \u201cwhenever\u201d, \u201canytime\u201d, etc.,  imply the presence of a condition or a requirement. Confusion is created when we do not have clarity about what kind of a condition these connectives represent. In our previous article<\/a>, we have already discussed the nature of – a necessary but not sufficient condition<\/em><\/a>. In this article, we\u2019ll learn about the second category of conditions and answer the question \u2013 “What are sufficient<\/strong><\/em> but not necessary conditions?<\/strong>“<\/em>. The purpose of this article is to make ourselves comfortable with this category of conditions and to understand the implications of such conditions when presented in a Critical Reasoning argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"what<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are Sufficient but not Necessary Conditions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2.1 Definition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A \u201csufficient<\/strong>\u201d condition is one which \u201cguarantees\u201d that the outcome will take place<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For e.g., If you eat too many sweets, you will gain weight.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this sentence convey?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It lays down a requirement, fulfillment of which is sufficient for gaining weight \u2013 It says that eating a lot of sweets is definitely going to lead to weight gain.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the fulfillment of a Sufficient Condition<\/strong> is guarantee enough<\/strong> of the outcome<\/strong><\/u>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.2 Is a sufficient condition the only means to achieve the outcome?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alright, so we saw that satisfying a sufficient condition will ensure that the outcome is achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However – \u201cIs a sufficient condition the only condition<\/u> in order to achieve a particular outcome?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s think along the lines of the \u2018weight gain<\/em>\u2019 example. Will weight gain take place only if one eats a lot of sweets?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not really!! We are not given that eating too many sweets<\/em> is the only way<\/strong> to gain weight<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2.3 Another Question \u2013 Is a Sufficient Condition Also a Necessary one?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The answer is pretty much similar to what we have discussed in the previous section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sufficient condition is only one of the means<\/u> to achieve a particular outcome. This means that there could be other means to achieve the outcome. Therefore, a sufficient condition is not necessary to be fulfilled in order to achieve the desired outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, let\u2019s think along our weight gain example to reaffirm our understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does one have to necessarily eat too many sweets<\/u> to lead to weight gain? Not really!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As discussed previously, there could be other reasons that could lead to weight gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sufficient<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The statement If you eat too many sweets, you will gain weight <\/em>does not mean that one cannot gain weight through other means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There can be<\/u><\/em> alternate causes<\/strong> that can lead to weight gain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As discussed, One may eat a lot of fat-laden products and consequently, gain weight. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One might gain weight by not exercising enough.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while the given condition of eating too many sweets<\/em> is a sufficient one to gain weight but by no means is it a necessary one. The occurrence of the result might take place by the fulfillment of similar other sufficient conditions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.4 Last Question \u2013 What can\/cannot be inferred when a Sufficient Condition is given?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So far, we understood that a sufficient condition is not always necessary for the outcome to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

i.e., when we are given \u201cIf X is done, then Y occurs.\u201d, then X is not the only way for Y to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what else can we infer from the information \u2018If X is done, then Y occurs.\u2019?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, we can definitely say that whenever X is done, Y must also occur. This can be definitely inferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, can we say the same holds true for the converse? i.e., if Y has occurred, can we infer that X must have been done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not really! As discussed before, X is not the only way for Y to occur. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, think along the lines of the weight gain<\/em> example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have gained weight. then we cannot infer\/conclude that you must have had too many sweets. (You could have gained weight for any of the many other reasons such as a sedentary lifestyle, eating fatty foods, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the occurrence of the outcome<\/u> is not a guarantee<\/u><\/strong> of a sufficient condition being fulfilled<\/u>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2.5     Simple Example – Sufficient but not Necessary Conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s put our learnings in the context of some simple examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.5.1 Example 1<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

If it rains, then Michelle carries an umbrella<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This statement indicates that the occurrence of rain is a sufficient<\/strong> condition<\/em><\/strong> for Michelle to carry an umbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n