Out of 120 applicants: 70 are males and 80 have a driver’s license. What is the ratio of the minimum to the maximum possible number of males having a driver’s license?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 3 : 7

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is an inclusion–exclusion style bounds question. We must find the minimum and maximum possible number of males with licenses, given totals for males and total licensed applicants.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Total applicants = 120.
  • Males = 70 ⇒ Females = 50.
  • Licensed applicants = 80.



Concept / Approach:

  • Maximum males with licenses occurs when as many licenses as possible are assigned to males: min(males, licensed) = min(70, 80) = 70.
  • Minimum males with licenses occurs when as many licenses as possible go to females: max(0, licensed − females) = 80 − 50 = 30.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Minimum males with license = 30. Maximum males with license = 70. Required ratio (min : max) = 30 : 70 = 3 : 7.



Verification / Alternative check:
Construct extreme cases: Case min: all 50 females licensed ⇒ remaining 30 licenses to males ⇒ 30 males licensed. Case max: all licenses to males until exhausted ⇒ 70 males licensed.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
1 : 3, 2 : 3, 5 : 7, and 3 : 5 do not match the computed bounds.



Common Pitfalls:
Forgetting to cap by the number of females (for license allocation) or by the number of males when maximizing.



Final Answer:
3 : 7

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