2024 CSAT, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2024 · CSAT
Question 47: Basic Numeracy
A person buys three articles P, Q and R for ₹3,330. If P costs 25% more than R and R costs 20% more than Q, then what is the cost of P ?
a₹1,000
b₹1,200
c₹1,250
d₹1,350
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Let Q cost 100 units. R costs 20% more: 120. P costs 25% more than R: 150. The total is 100 + 120 + 150 = 370 units = ₹3,330, so one unit is ₹9. P = 150 × 9 = ₹1,350. Remember to chain the percentages from the base item, Q, and not to apply them all to one price.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. P = 1,000 gives R = 800 and Q about 667, a total of about ₹2,467.
- (b) Wrong. P = 1,200 gives R = 960 and Q = 800, a total of ₹2,960.
- (c) Wrong. P = 1,250 gives R = 1,000 and Q about 833, a total of about ₹3,083.
- (d) Right. P = 1,350, R = 1,080 and Q = 900; the total is ₹3,330.
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.