A group of market women sell at least one of yam, plantain and maize. 12 of them sell maize, 10 sell yam and 14 sell plantain. 5 sell plantain and maize, 4 sell yam and maize, 2 sell yam and plantain only while 3 sell all the three items. How many women are in the group?

A.

25

B.

19

C.

18

D.

17

Correct answer is A

Let the three items be M, Y and P.
n{M ∩ Y} only = 4-3 = 1
n{M ∩ P) only = 5-3 = 2
n{ Y ∩ P} only = 2
n{M} only = 12-(1+3+2) = 6
n{Y} only = 10-(1+2+3) = 4
n{P} only = 14-(2+3+2) = 7
n{M∩P∩Y} = 3
Number of women in the group = 6+4+7+(1+2+2+3) as above =25 women.