Three hikers A, B, and C start with Rs. 50 each and agree to share expenses equally. At the end, A has Rs. 20, B has Rs. 30, and C has Rs. 40 left. How should they settle their accounts?

Introduction / Context:
This is a settlement-of-expenses problem. Everyone begins equally and agrees to share equally, so each person’s fair share of expenses is total spent divided equally. Transfers settle over- or under-payments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Each started with Rs. 50.
• End balances: A = Rs. 20, B = Rs. 30, C = Rs. 40.
• They share expenses equally.

Concept / Approach:
Amount spent by each = 50 − ending balance. Compute total spent, divide by 3 for each person’s fair share, then balance by transfers from under-spenders to over-spenders.

Step-by-Step Solution:
A spent = 50 − 20 = 30. B spent = 50 − 30 = 20. C spent = 50 − 40 = 10. Total spent = 30 + 20 + 10 = 60 ⇒ fair share per person = 60 / 3 = 20. A overpaid by 10; B paid exactly; C underpaid by 10. Therefore, C must pay Rs. 10 to A.

Verification / Alternative check:
After transfer, each effectively bears Rs. 20 of expense. Balances align with equal sharing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Payments from A to B or C would worsen the disparity. “Can’t be settled” is incorrect; a single Rs. 10 transfer balances accounts.

Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to convert ending balances to amounts spent, or misallocating who overpaid vs. underpaid.

Final Answer:
C must pay Rs. 10 to A