Six boys A, B, C, D, E and F play a game of cards. Each has a pack of 10 cards. F borrows 2 cards from A and gives away 5 to C who in turn gives 3 to B while B gives 6 to D who passes on 1 to E. Then the number of cards possessed by D and E is equal to the number of cards possessed by

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (2)

Initially, each of the six boys (A, B, C, D, E, F) possesses 10 cards. The transactions are processed sequentially to determine the final card count for each individual:

F borrows 2 cards from A: A has 10 - 2 = 8 cards; F has 10 + 2 = 12 cards.
F gives 5 cards to C: F has 12 - 5 = 7 cards; C has 10 + 5 = 15 cards.
C gives 3 cards to B: C has 15 - 3 = 12 cards; B has 10 + 3 = 13 cards.
B gives 6 cards to D: B has 13 - 6 = 7 cards; D has 10 + 6 = 16 cards.
D passes 1 card to E: D has 16 - 1 = 15 cards; E has 10 + 1 = 11 cards.

The final distribution of cards is:

A: 8 cards
B: 7 cards
C: 12 cards
D: 15 cards
E: 11 cards
F: 7 cards

The total number of cards possessed by D and E is 15 + 11 = 26 cards.

Evaluating Option 2: The sum of cards possessed by B, C, and F is 7 (B) + 12 (C) + 7 (F) = 26 cards. This matches the total number of cards possessed by D and E.

Incorrect Options:

Based on the final card distribution:

Option 1 (A, B and C): The sum of cards is 8 (A) + 7 (B) + 12 (C) = 27 cards. This does not equal 26.
Option 3 (A, B and F): The sum of cards is 8 (A) + 7 (B) + 7 (F) = 22 cards. This does not equal 26.
Option 4 (A, C and F): The sum of cards is 8 (A) + 12 (C) + 7 (F) = 27 cards. This does not equal 26.