Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(http://www.lofoya.com/) / Aptitude (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/)
/ Alligations or Mixtures (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/intro) / level3
Alligations or Mixtures
Aptitude
Back to Questions (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/l3p2#question4)
Introduction (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/intro)
Q. A merchant mixes three varieties of rice costing Rs.20/kg, Rs.24/kg and Rs.30/kg and
Easy Questions (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/l1p1)
sells the mixture at a profit of 20% at Rs.30 / kg.
Moderate Questions (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/l2p1)
How many kgs of the second variety will be in the mixture if 2 kgs of the third variety is
Difficult Questions (http://www.lofoya.com/AptitudeQuestionsandAnswers/AlligationorMixture/l3p1)
there in the mixture?
✖ A. 1 kg
✖ B. 3 kgs
✔ C. 5 kgs
✖ D. 6 kgs
− Hide Ans
Solution:
Option(C) is correct
If the selling price of the mixture is Rs.30/kg and the merchant makes a profit of 20%, then
the cost price of the mixture $=\dfrac{30}{1.2}$ = Rs.25/kg.
We need to find out the ratio in which the three varieties are mixed to obtain a mixture
costing Rs.25 /kg.
Let variety $A$ cost Rs.20/kg, variety $B$ cost Rs.24 / kg and variety $C$ cost Rs.30/kg.
The mean desired price falls between $B$ and $C$.
Step 1:
Find out the ratio $Q_a : Q_c$ using alligation rule.
$\dfrac{Q_a}{Q_c}=\dfrac{3025}{2520}=\dfrac{1}{1}$
Be warned if we do not simplify the ratio and let if remain $\dfrac{Q_a}{Q_c}=\dfrac{5}{5}$,
it changes the final answer, which will be the CORRECT answer as well. See at the end of
this answer for more details.
Step 2:
Find out the ratio $Q_b:Q_c$ using alligation rule.
$\dfrac{Q_b}{Q_c}=\left(\dfrac{3025}{2524}\right)=\dfrac{5}{1}$
Step 3:
$Q_c$ is found by adding the value of $Q_c$ in step 1 and step 2 $= 1 + 1 = 2$
Many people (Rahul Kumar (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthree
varietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment1642), Maksud
(http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecosting
rs20kgrs24kg#comment3827), Dheeraj (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/a
merchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment
2177), Pragya (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesof
ricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment3658)) are arguing over this step as for why
$Q_c$ is being added, find details for the same at the end of the solution.
Therefore, the required ratio $= 1 : 5 : 2$
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 1/6
12/6/2016 Alligations or Mixtures | Aptitude Questions and Answers : Question35 | Lofoya
If there are 2 kgs of the third variety in the mixture, then there will be 5 kgs of the second
variety in the mixture.
Note:
When appearing in actual exam problems of this kind are to be skipped, at least in the first
go.
If you were able to solve a decent number of other problems, then you should look at this
problem. Moreover, such tye of questions may have MORE THAN ONE SOLUTION which
may not match the given answer choices with the correct alternate answer of yours. For an
alternate (and CORRECT) answer check SundararajC
(http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecosting
rs20kgrs24kg#comment2691)'s comment.
Edit1: Thank you VINAY (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthree
varietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment1639) and bimal
(http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kg
rs24kg#comment1562) for mentioning the anomaly, changed the option from choice $B$
to choice $C$
Edit2: As pointed by SundararajC (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixes
threevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2691), 1.6666 kg of 2nd
variety is ASLO a correct answer (check out how (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/a
merchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692)) but since
it is not given in the answer choices we have settled with 5 Kgs.
Edit 3: Many people are arguing over the addition of $Q_c$ in step 3.
From step 1, we have,
$\dfrac{Q_a}{Q_c}=\dfrac{1}{1}$
Say we have, 1kg of both $Q_a$ & $Q_c$.
From step 2, we have,
$\dfrac{Q_b}{Q_c}=\dfrac{5}{1}$
Say we have, 5 kgs of $Q_b$ and 1 kg of $Q_c$.
Now if we mix both these mixtures, we have following quantities in the FINAL mixture.
$Q_a=1\text{ kg}$ from mixture 1 only
$Q_b=5\text{ kg}$ from mixture 2 only
$Q_c=1\text{ kg}$ from mixture 1 AND $1\text{ kg}$ from mixture 2
Thus, $Q_c=(1+1)=2\text{2kgs}$.
Thus, Final ratio of $Q_a: Q_b:Q_c=\textbf{1:5:2}$ and NOT $1:5:1$ as some people are
saying.
Hope this helps.
Edit 4: For an alternative solution (http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixes
threevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment3799), check comment by Mohit
Mehta.
(18) Comment(s)
Arun K P
(Nov 25'16 at 16:02)
here
ratio = 1:5:1
given c = 2 kg
hence b= 10 kg
Mohit Mehta
(Aug 07'16 at 12:07)
easy way:A=20/kg,B=24/kg ,C =30/kg
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 2/6
12/6/2016 Alligations or Mixtures | Aptitude Questions and Answers : Question35 | Lofoya
let $x$ kg be rice A ,$y$ be rice B and 2 is rice C
also final CP = 25
therefore,
$20x+24y+60=25(x+y+2)$
Solving we get,
$y=105x$
Since, $y$ cannot be zero or negative
Hence, $x$ can only be 1 giving $y = \textbf{5 kg}$
Pragya
(Jun 24'16 at 01:04)
cannot we do it like
b:c=5:1
so c=2kg we have to find 2nd variety let x so
5:1=x:2
x=10?
answer =10?
Kiran
(Feb 17'16 at 16:19)
Can someone explain me why resultant of type 3(Q_C) is coming into picture in this problem
and not in
Question no 3:
In what ratio must a person mix three kinds of wheat costing him Rs 1.20,Rs 1.44 and Rs 1.74
per Kg so that the mixture may be worth Rs 1.41 per Kg?
Prince
(Mar 03'16 at 06:18)
the answer would be 5 (option c) if we assume first quantity is 1 kg.
Kiran In what ratio must a person mix three kinds of wheat costing him Rs 1.20,Rs
1.44 and Rs 1.74 per Kg so that the mixture may be worth Rs 1.41 per Kg?
Correct answerInfinitely many solution and the solution given is wrong. 12:7:7 is one
possibilty
1 1
SundararajC
(Nov 17'15 at 17:00)
sundar:
I got the answer 1.6666 kg as follows.
Cost price of mixture is 25 R/kg
20 5
24 5
25
30 1
30 5
totally 16 parts in which third variety contains 6 parts,2 nd variety contains 5 parts and 1st
variety contains 5 parts.
6 parts is 2 kg.therefore 5 parts is 1.6666kg.
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 3/6
12/6/2016 Alligations or Mixtures | Aptitude Questions and Answers : Question35 | Lofoya
so 1 st and 2 nd varieties both having 1.6666kg each.
Deepak
(Nov 18'15 at 17:52)
Could you please explain clearly? So that I can help you.
1 0
SundararajC
(Nov 19'15 at 14:40)
profit 20 percent. So (selling pricecost price)/cost price=0.2
So cost price becomes 25r/kg.
now
rs/kg | ave |difference
20 | | 5
24 | | 5
| 25 |
30 | | 1
30 | | 5
so totally 16 parts.
totally 16 parts in which third variety contains 6 parts,2 nd variety contains 5 parts and
1st variety contains 5 parts.
6 parts is 2 kg.therefore 5 parts is 1.6666kg.
so 1 st and 2 nd varieties both having 1.6666kg each.
1 0
SundararajC
(Nov 19'15 at 16:14)
Depak i explain simply as follows.
3rd variety (30/kg variety) is 2 kg
Selling price of mixture is 30/kg
My answer is both 1 st and 2nd variety is 1.6666kg.
Let me take this as correct answer.
Now Cost price,
$=(1.66666 \times 20)+(1.66666 \times 24)+(2 \times 30)$
$= \text{ Rs.}133.29$
Total selling amount $=(2 +1.66666+1.66666)\times 30=\text{ Rs.}160$
Now let us calculate the profit percentage,
$=\left(\dfrac{160133.329}{133.329} \right)\times 100=20\%$
Which complies with the question.
1 1
Deepak
(Nov 21'15 at 10:23)
Thank you SundararajC, for your input. There is no error with your solution, multiple
answers to the given question is possible. Modified the solution to incorporate your
input.
This might really help others, thank you for your inputs.
1 0
Rahul Kumar
(Sep 22'15 at 11:03)
Answer is neither C nor B. The answer should be 10 Kg for the second variety of rice.
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 4/6
12/6/2016 Alligations or Mixtures | Aptitude Questions and Answers : Question35 | Lofoya
When $Q_a: Q_c = 1:1$ and $Q_b: Q_c = 5:1$, then it is clear that $Q_a: Q_b: Q_c = 1 : 5 :
1$ in the final mixture
Now it is given that $Q_c = 2kg$ in the final mixture.
hence, $Q_b = 5 x 2 = 10 \text{ Kg}$ in the final mixture.
Rakesh
(Sep 25'15 at 09:41)
I believe the solution makes it clear that the 3rd ratio is to be calculated by ADDING
the values received of $Q_c$ from step 1 and 2.
That is $Q_c=1+1=2$, which makes final ratio to be, $1:5:2$ and not $1:5:1$.
So, 5 kgs appear to be right answer to me.
1 7
Maksud
(Aug 15'16 at 21:53)
why are few people suggesting addition of q(c)??
my ansns is 10.
ratio is 1:5:1
why are some of u guys adding 1+1 and making the ratio 1:5:2??
3 0
VINAY AHUJA
(Sep 21'15 at 15:31)
ans should option c ie 5
the required proportion would be 1:5:2 . it clearly indicates that if 3 quantity is 2 kg the 2
quantity must be 5 kg.
Bimal
(Sep 09'15 at 15:10)
is there any shortcut sir.......another thing the answer will be 'c' not 'b'....
Dheeraj
(Jul 21'14 at 20:18)
If we calculate the allegations of the 1st and 2nd mixtures(the ratio obtained is 1:5) followed by
the 2nd and 3rd mixtures (the ratio is 5:1).
Thus if we proceed our calculations as per the original ratios concept we get 1:5:1 and the
answer obtained is eqaul to 10.
How should we analyze beforehand that the question is of such type?
Naresh
(Jul 21'14 at 17:49)
$a:c = 2:2$
$c:b= 2:5$
So,
$a:c:b = 2:2:5$
or
$a:b:c = 2:5:2$
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 5/6
12/6/2016 Alligations or Mixtures | Aptitude Questions and Answers : Question35 | Lofoya
Naresh
(Jul 21'14 at 18:17)
Sorry, my mistake... since the mixture contains all the parts... it's 1:5:(1+1)
so 1:5:2 is correct ..
0 0
Add comment ...
1500 characters remaining
Help us keep afloat. Consider making a small contribution.
(https://www.payumoney.com/paybypayumoney/#/AADF4F658CAF0D339721A351852E23BC)
To appreciate the effort Lofoya.com is putting, Please like our page and help us spread the word.
Lofoya.com
Follow +1
© Lofoya Pvt Ltd. Copyright (http://www.lofoya.com/about/copyright.php) 2016 | Terms of Service & Privacy Policy (http://www.lofoya.com/about/termsofserviceandprivacypolicy.php) | All Rights
Reserved
http://www.lofoya.com/Solved/35/amerchantmixesthreevarietiesofricecostingrs20kgrs24kg#comment2692 6/6