This looks like an overlapping set problem, and ETS does love to use tables for overlapping sets, but we really don't need to worry about making an overlapping sets table here. Just count up all the males, count up all the juniors, and be careful not to double count the male juniors, because that is of course one of the trap answer choices (D).

Conveniently, all the males have already been added up for us and they total 860. So we just need to add the juniors who aren't males, otherwise known as females, and add them. They represent another 88 students. Since 860 + 88 = 948, C is the answer.
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What an overalpping, tricky question! Using a Venn diagram helped me for this one. Total is 1400. Males + Juniors =182 (from table 1). Now total males = 860. So Males-Junior=678 and Juniors-Males=88; this is removing the overlap. So either Junior or Males or both = 182+678+88=948. Answer is C.

I am not following either solution, as I am a visual person, I think I would benefit if someone would post a picture with a venn diagram that leads to the solution. Thank you!

Or someone can tell me what is wrong in my solution.

The way I learned to solve overlapping set problems is to use

total = set A + set B - both + neither

But when I use it, I don't get the right answer.
total = 860 + 270 - 182 + 452 = 1430

In this case, that general formula does not work because actually, you do not have two main set but one set and a part of another subset.

here is when you mental muscles stretch to a better level.

the key is to read very carefully the stem:

How many students are either juniors 182 or 88=


or males (MEAN ALL MALE) =860


or both means to sum up 182+88=270.

Now, the question asked specifically for the male side of the table, so from 860 we need to subtract 182 = 678 otherwise is double counted.

678+270 = 948.

Hope this helps.

Regards
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You lost me at the bolded portion, my mind's reasoning is telling me that the number of juniors is the 182+88, which is in contrast to the "182 or 88" you mentioned. Can you please explain this portion? Thanks.

Before is either in the first part of the stem so 182 or 88 but then is mentioned both so they must be combined 182+88.

Hope this help

Ps: flexible approach is the key
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I don't understand what you mean. Are you talking about the grammar? The way I read the question is like this:

"How many students are either juniors, or males, or both?"

Edit: I added the commas, it won't show the underline for some reason.

No, I was referring to a flexible approach to the fact that the formula you mentioned did not work.

So approach the question from a different angle.

From what did you infer I pointed out about grammar.........
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I had no idea what you were saying lol, I just tried guessing what you were trying to convey. I think the grammar structure of your sentence was off which made it hard to interpret. You mentioned 'stem', 'either', 'or', perhaps that made me infer you were trying to talk about the grammar of the question.

I understand the answer now by rereading kruttikaaggarwal's answer and drawing the Venn diagram myself, and it clicked.

A venn diagram is easiest..
We are looking for juniors or males or both..
so juniors are = 182+88=270
males are 860.
So total is 270+860=1130. But this 1130 contains junior males twice . Once as juniors and second as males, so subtract it once from total.
Answer = 1130-182=948 ..

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