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CAT 2020 Slot 2 — QA Question 15

PercentageEasy

In May, John bought the same amount of rice and the same amount of wheat as he had bought in April, but spent ₹ 150 more due to price increase of rice and wheat by 20% and 12%, respectively. If John had spent ₹ 450 on rice in April, then how much did he spend on wheat in May?

Answer & solution

  • A

    Rs. 580

  • Rs. 560

  • C

    Rs. 590

  • D

    Rs. 570

Solution

Easy

Quantities are unchanged month to month, so each item's spending rises by exactly its price-increase percentage. Find the extra spent on rice, subtract from the total extra to get the extra on wheat, back out April's wheat spend, then add to reach May's.

1

Extra spent on rice. Rice cost rises 20%20\% on an April spend of Rs 450450.

Extra on rice=0.20×450=Rs 90\begin{aligned} &\text{Extra on rice} = 0.20 \times 450 = \text{Rs }90 \end{aligned}
2

Extra spent on wheat. The total extra is Rs 150150; the rest is wheat.

Extra on wheat=150−90=Rs 60\begin{aligned} &\text{Extra on wheat} = 150 - 90 = \text{Rs }60 \end{aligned}
3

April wheat spend. That Rs 6060 is a 12%12\% rise on April's wheat amount WW.

0.12 W=60⇒ W=600.12=Rs 500\begin{aligned} &0.12\,W = 60\\ &\Rightarrow\ W = \frac{60}{0.12} = \text{Rs }500 \end{aligned}
4

May wheat spend. Add the extra to April's wheat spend.

May wheat=500+60=Rs 560\begin{aligned} &\text{May wheat} = 500 + 60 = \text{Rs }560 \end{aligned}
Spent on wheat in May=Rs 560\text{Spent on wheat in May} = \text{Rs }560
CAT 2020 Slot 2 QA Q15: In May, John bought the same amount of rice and the same amount of wheat as he had bought in April, but spent — Solution | TheCATExam