Each of A, B, C and D has ₹ 100. A pays ₹ 20 to B, who pays ₹ 10 to C, who gets ₹ 30 from D. In this context, which one of the following statements is not correct ?
- (a) C is the richest.
- (b) D is the poorest.
- (c) C has more than what A and D have together. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) B is richer than D.
Why the answer is (c)
• Each person starts with ₹ 100, so the total money in the system is ₹ 400, and this total remains constant throughout all transactions.
• A pays ₹ 20 to B, leaving A with ₹ 80 and B with ₹ 120.
• B pays ₹ 10 to C, leaving B with ₹ 110 and C with ₹ 110.
• C receives ₹ 30 from D, leaving C with ₹ 140 and D with ₹ 70.
• The final amounts are: A = ₹ 80, B = ₹ 110, C = ₹ 140, D = ₹ 70.
• Statement (c) claims C has more than A and D together; however, A + D = ₹ 80 + ₹ 70 = ₹ 150, which is greater than C's ₹ 140, making statement (c) incorrect.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) C is the richest.
- C has ₹ 140, which is the highest amount among all four individuals, so C is indeed the richest.
- (b) D is the poorest.
- D has ₹ 70, which is the lowest amount among all four individuals, so D is indeed the poorest.
- (d) B is richer than D.
- B has ₹ 110 and D has ₹ 70, so B is richer than D.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.