2019 CSAT, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2019 · CSAT
Question 17: Basic Numeracy
Raju has ₹ 9000 with him and he wants to buy a mobile handset; but he finds that he has only 75% of the amount required to buy the handset. Therefore, he borrows ₹ 2000 from a friend. Then
aRaju still does not have enough amount to buy the handset.
bRaju has exactly the same amount as required to buy the handset.
cRaju has enough amount to buy the handset and he will have ₹ 500 with him after buying the handset.
dRaju has enough amount to buy the handset and he will have ₹ 1000 with him after buying the handset.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Raju's ₹9000 is 75% of the price, so the price is 9000 / 0.75 = ₹12000. With the ₹2000 borrowed he has ₹11000, which is ₹1000 short. He still cannot buy the handset. The common slip is to treat 9000 + 2000 as enough without first working out the price.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: ₹11000 is less than the ₹12000 needed.
- (b) Wrong: he would need exactly ₹12000.
- (c) Wrong: there is no surplus; he is short, not left with ₹500.
- (d) Wrong: there is no surplus; he is ₹1000 short, not left with ₹1000.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.