UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 150: Basic Numeracy
Amar, Akbar and Anthony are friends, being looked after by a matron Farah. Amar weighs 50% more than Akbar and Anthony weigh 25% less than Amar. Farah weighs a third of the combined weight of the three boys. All four together weigh 232 kg. The correct arrangement of the persons in the ascending order of their weights is
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Let Akbar = x. Amar = 1.5x. Anthony is 25 per cent less than Amar = 0.75 x 1.5x = 1.125x. The three boys together weigh 3.625x, and Farah weighs a third of that = 1.2083x. All four: 4.8333x = 232, so x = 48. Akbar 48 kg, Amar 72 kg, Anthony 54 kg, Farah 58 kg. Ascending: Akbar, Anthony, Farah, Amar.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Akbar (48) is lighter than Anthony (54), so Akbar comes first.
- (b) Wrong. Akbar is lighter than Anthony, and Farah (58) is lighter than Amar (72).
- (c) Wrong. Farah (58) is lighter than Amar (72).
- (d) Right. 48, 54, 58, 72.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.