The average salary of A, B, and C is Rs. 10,000. Only A's average monthly expenditure is known to be Rs. 6000. What is the average savings of B and C together?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: can't be determined

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Sometimes average problems do not supply enough information to isolate unknowns for a subgroup. Recognizing insufficiency is as important as computing a value when possible.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Average salary of A, B, C = Rs. 10,000 ⇒ total salary = Rs. 30,000
  • Only A's average expenditure is known: Rs. 6000
  • Expenditures or savings of B and C are not provided.


Concept / Approach:
To compute the average savings of B and C, we need their incomes (known only in total with A) and their expenditures (unknown). Without at least the combined expenditure of B and C, infinitely many distributions satisfy the constraints, leading to different savings outcomes.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Total salary = Rs. 30,000 (for A, B, C) Let expenditures be: A = 6000, B = x, C = y (unknown) Savings(B + C) = (salary(B) + salary(C)) - (x + y) However, salary(B) + salary(C) is not known individually, and x + y is also unknown.


Verification / Alternative check:
Different choices of B and C expenditures produce different savings while respecting the given information. Hence no unique value exists.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Rs. 5500, Rs. 4500, Rs. 4000: Each assumes extra information not provided.
  • None of these: Insufficiency is explicitly captured by “can't be determined.”


Common Pitfalls:
Assuming B and C have the same expenditure as A or that the group average for expenditure is known; neither is given.


Final Answer:
can't be determined

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