Back-calculating a partner’s capital from a claimed profit share: A invests ₹ 16,000 for 8 months. B stays in the business for 4 months and claims 2/7 of the total profit. Find B’s capital.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 12800

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
With two partners, profit shares are proportional to capital × time. If a partner’s profit fraction is known, we can set up a ratio equation between the two capital-time products and solve for the unknown capital directly.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • A capital = ₹ 16,000 for 8 months ⇒ A weight = 1,28,000.
  • B time = 4 months; capital = y (unknown) ⇒ B weight = 4y.
  • B’s profit fraction = 2/7 ⇒ A’s fraction = 5/7 ⇒ A : B = 5 : 2.


Concept / Approach:
Set the weight ratio equal to 5 : 2 and solve for y. This ensures the shares align with the claimed profit fraction exactly.



Step-by-Step Solution:

A : B = 1,28,000 : 4y = 5 : 2.1,28,000 / (4y) = 5/2 ⇒ 1,28,000 * 2 = 5 * 4y ⇒ 2,56,000 = 20y ⇒ y = ₹ 12,800.


Verification / Alternative check:
B weight = 4 * 12,800 = 51,200; ratio 1,28,000 : 51,200 = 5 : 2 (divide by 25,600), matching the profit claim.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
₹ 13,600, ₹ 11,900, ₹ 10,500, ₹ 14,000 do not maintain the 5 : 2 weight ratio with A’s 1,28,000 weight.



Common Pitfalls:
Using 2 : 5 instead of 5 : 2 for A : B, or forgetting to multiply capital by months to form weights.



Final Answer:
12800

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