I bought a new plant for my garden. Anika said it was a red rose, Bill said it was a purple daisy, and Cathy said it was a red dahlia. Each person was correct in stating either the colour or the type of plant. What was the plant that I bought?
(A) purple dahlia
(D) yellow rose
(B) purple rose
(E) red daisy
(C) red dahlia

Part B: Each correct answer is worth 6.
Anika said that the plant was a red rose.

Cathy said that the plant was a red dahlia.

If red was not the correct colour of the plant, then Anika was incorrect about the colour and therefore must be correct about the type; in other words, the plant is a rose.

Similarly, if red was not the correct colour of the plant, then Cathy was incorrect about the colour and therefore must be correct about the type; in other words, the plant is a dahlia.

But the plant cannot be both a rose and a dahlia.

Therefore, Cathy and Anika must have been correct about the colour being red.

Bill said that the plant was a purple daisy.

Since we know that the colour of the plant is red, then Bill was incorrect about it being purple. Therefore, Bill must have been correct about it being a daisy.

Thus, the plant is a red daisy.

ANSWER: (E)