UPSC Prelims 2024 · CSAT
Question 25: Basic Numeracy
Two persons P and Q enter into a business. P puts ₹14,000 more than Q, but P has invested for 8 months and Q has invested for 10 months. If P's share is ₹400 more than Q's share out of the total profit of ₹2,000, what is the capital contributed by P?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Profit 2000 with P's share ₹400 more: P gets 1200 and Q 800, a 3 : 2 ratio. Let Q's capital be x, so P's is x + 14000. Profit ratio = capital × time: 8(x + 14000) : 10x = 3 : 2. Cross-multiplying, 16(x + 14000) = 30x, so 14x = 224000 and x = 16000. P's capital = 16000 + 14000 = ₹30,000.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right. Capitals 30,000 × 8 = 240,000 and 16,000 × 10 = 160,000 give the 3 : 2 ratio.
- (b) Wrong. With 26,000 and 12,000 the ratio is 208 : 120, not 3 : 2.
- (c) Wrong. With 24,000 and 10,000 the ratio is 192 : 100, not 3 : 2.
- (d) Wrong. With 20,000 and 6,000 the ratio is 160 : 60, not 3 : 2.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.