This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO LVM commands can be used to reduce the size of a logical volume?
lvresize
Correct: can reduce or extend.
lvchange
Why wrong: Incorrect: changes LV attributes.
lvreduce
Correct: specifically reduces LV size.
lvdisplay
Why wrong: Incorrect: displays LV information.
lvextend
Why wrong: Incorrect: increases size.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
lvresize
Both `lvresize` and `lvreduce` can reduce the size of a logical volume. `lvresize` is the general-purpose command for resizing LVs, and when used with the `-L` or `--size` option to specify a smaller size, it shrinks the volume. `lvreduce` is a dedicated command that specifically reduces the size of a logical volume, offering the same functionality as `lvresize --size` but with a more explicit name. Both commands require the filesystem to be shrunk first (if it contains data) using tools like `resize2fs` or `xfs_growfs` (though XFS cannot be shrunk).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
lvresize
Why this is correct
Correct: can reduce or extend.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
lvchange
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: changes LV attributes.
lvreduce
Why this is correct
Correct: specifically reduces LV size.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
lvdisplay
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: displays LV information.
lvextend
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: increases size.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume only `lvreduce` can shrink a volume, forgetting that `lvresize` is a universal tool that can both increase and decrease size, making both correct answers.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, LVM resizing works by adjusting the logical volume's metadata in the Volume Group's area (VGDA) and then reallocating or freeing physical extents (PEs). When reducing, LVM checks that the new size does not exceed the used extents (unless `--force` is used, which can cause data loss). A critical subtlety is that `lvresize` and `lvreduce` do not automatically shrink the filesystem; the filesystem must be shrunk first (e.g., with `resize2fs` for ext4) to avoid corruption. In real-world scenarios, shrinking an LV is risky and often avoided in production because it requires unmounting and careful planning, especially with XFS which cannot be shrunk at all.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the EX200 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Create and configure file systems — This question tests Create and configure file systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: lvresize — Both `lvresize` and `lvreduce` can reduce the size of a logical volume. `lvresize` is the general-purpose command for resizing LVs, and when used with the `-L` or `--size` option to specify a smaller size, it shrinks the volume. `lvreduce` is a dedicated command that specifically reduces the size of a logical volume, offering the same functionality as `lvresize --size` but with a more explicit name. Both commands require the filesystem to be shrunk first (if it contains data) using tools like `resize2fs` or `xfs_growfs` (though XFS cannot be shrunk).
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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