Money transfers and fractions: Ashok gives 40% of his money to Jayant. Jayant gives one-fourth of what he received to Prakash. After paying ₹200 to a taxi from that amount, Prakash has ₹600 left. How much money did Ashok originally have?

Introduction / Context:
This chained-transfer problem requires careful tracking of fractions of an original sum through multiple recipients and a fixed deduction, then reversing to obtain the original amount.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Ashok’s money = A.
• Jayant receives 40% of A ⇒ 0.40A.
• Prakash receives one-fourth of Jayant’s receipt ⇒ 0.25 * 0.40A = 0.10A.
• Prakash pays ₹200 taxi and still has ₹600 ⇒ amount received by Prakash = 800.

Concept / Approach:
Set 0.10A equal to ₹800 and solve for A. The fixed deduction happens after Prakash receives the amount, so we add it back to get his receipt before the deduction.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Prakash’s final = 600; taxi = 200 ⇒ received = 600 + 200 = ₹8000.10A = 800 ⇒ A = 800 / 0.10 = ₹8,000

Verification / Alternative check:
Jayant gets 40% of 8000 = ₹3200. Prakash gets one-fourth: ₹800. After paying ₹200, Prakash has ₹600, consistent.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1200, 4000, 2000 do not yield a 0.10A of ₹800; “Data inadequate” is incorrect since the chain uniquely determines A.

Common Pitfalls:
Subtracting the taxi fare from A or Jayant’s share directly; remember the deduction applies only to Prakash’s receipt.

Final Answer:
8000