UPSC Prelims 2000 · General Studies
Question 145: Basic Numeracy
A club has 108 members. Two-thirds of them are men and the rest are women. All members are married except for 9 women members. How many married women are there in the club?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Two thirds of 108 members are men, that is 72, so the women are 36. All members are married except 9 women, so the married women are 36 - 9 = 27. The count adds up: 72 men, 27 married women and 9 unmarried women make 108 members. The question asks only for the married women.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) 20 does not match 36 - 9.
- (b) 24 does not match 36 - 9.
- (c) Right: 36 women - 9 unmarried = 27.
- (d) 30 does not match 36 - 9.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2000, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.