720 sweets are shared equally among children such that each child receives a number of sweets equal to 20% of the total number of children. How many sweets does each child get?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 12

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The number of sweets per child depends on the number of children, and the problem links them: each child’s share is 20% of the headcount. This yields a quadratic relation in the number of children.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Total sweets = 720.
  • If number of children = n, then sweets per child = 0.20 * n.
  • All sweets are distributed exactly.


Concept / Approach:
Total sweets = (children) * (sweets per child) = n * (0.20n) = 0.20n^2. Set that equal to 720 and solve for n. Then compute each child’s share using 0.20n.


Step-by-Step Solution:

0.20n^2 = 720 ⇒ n^2 = 720 / 0.20 = 3600 ⇒ n = 60 (positive root).Sweets per child = 0.20 * n = 0.20 * 60 = 12.


Verification / Alternative check:
Total sweets check: 60 children * 12 sweets = 720, consistent.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
14, 11, 15, 10 do not satisfy the quadratic relationship when multiplied by the corresponding child count.


Common Pitfalls:
Treating 20% of children as 20% of sweets, or assuming a linear relation. The share per child depends on n, producing n^2.


Final Answer:
12

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