Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: ₹ 273
Explanation:
Introduction:
When pricing is linear and uniform per item, any proportional subset of a given combination costs the same proportion of the total. Here, (7 pencils + 3 clippers) is exactly one-third of (21 pencils + 9 clippers).
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Note that (7, 3) is exactly one-third of (21, 9). Therefore, cost scales by 1/3.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Let pencil = p, clipper = c. Then 21p + 9c = 819. Divide by 3: 7p + 3c = 273. Same result.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Other figures do not maintain the linear proportionality to the original combination cost.
Common Pitfalls:
Attempting to find individual prices unnecessarily; proportional reasoning suffices.
Final Answer:
₹ 273
Discussion & Comments