A man spends 75% of his income. Then his income rises by 20% and he increases his expenditure by 10% (relative to the old expenditure). By what percent do his savings increase?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 50%

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Savings = Income − Expenditure. When both income and expenditure change by different percentages, compute new income and new expenditure carefully (noting the base of each change), then compare savings before and after.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Initial income = I.
  • Initial expenditure = 75% of I ⇒ 0.75I.
  • Initial savings = I − 0.75I = 0.25I.
  • New income = 1.20I (20% rise).
  • New expenditure = 1.10 × (old expenditure) = 1.10 × 0.75I = 0.825I.


Concept / Approach:
Compute new savings and then the percentage increase relative to the old savings. Be careful: the 10% increase applies to the old expenditure, not to the new income.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Initial savings S₀ = 0.25I.New savings S₁ = 1.20I − 0.825I = 0.375I.Increase = S₁ − S₀ = 0.375I − 0.25I = 0.125I.Percent increase = (0.125I / 0.25I) * 100% = 50%.


Verification / Alternative check:
Let I = ₹100: initial savings ₹25. New income ₹120; new expenditure 1.10 × 75 = ₹82.5; new savings ₹37.5. Increase ₹12.5 on ₹25 = 50%.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
25% and 37 1/2% mis-handle the base or apply 10% to the wrong quantity; 10% is far too small.


Common Pitfalls:
Applying the 10% increase to the new income rather than the initial expenditure, or double-counting the 20% income rise as extra savings without adjusting expenditure.


Final Answer:
50%

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