An office has 60 employees with an overall average salary of Rs. 12,000 per month. If the number of executives is twice the number of non-executives, what is the average salary of the non-executive employees?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: can't be determined

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Weighted-average questions require either the subgroup averages or enough relations between them to solve for unknowns. Knowing only the overall mean and headcount ratio often isn’t sufficient.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Total employees = 60
  • Executives : Non-executives = 2 : 1 ⇒ Executives = 40, Non-executives = 20
  • Overall average salary = Rs. 12,000
  • No subgroup averages provided.


Concept / Approach:
Let average salaries be E for executives and N for non-executives. Then overall average gives a single equation: (40*E + 20*N) / 60 = 12000. With two unknowns (E and N) and only one equation, infinitely many solutions exist unless another constraint is given.


Step-by-Step Solution:

40*E + 20*N = 60 * 12000 = 720000 This single linear relation cannot determine both E and N uniquely. Therefore the average salary of non-executives (N) is indeterminate.


Verification / Alternative check:
Pick E = 13000 ⇒ 40*13000 = 520000, then 20*N = 200000 ⇒ N = 10000. Pick E = 11000 ⇒ 40*11000 = 440000, then 20*N = 280000 ⇒ N = 14000. Multiple feasible values show non-uniqueness.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Rs. 9000, Rs. 8000, Rs. 6000: Each is a specific value without justification; many values are possible.
  • None of these: Insufficient data is properly captured by “can't be determined.”


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming executives are always paid more and plugging a guess; the problem does not state subgroup averages or ordering constraints.


Final Answer:
can't be determined

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