A number whose fifth part increased by $4$ is equal to its fourth part diminished by $10$, is
Aptitude
Problems on Numbers
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A240
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B260
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C270
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D280
Answer
Correct Answer: 280
Explanation
### Concept & Logic
This word problem requires translating independent operations on different fractional parts of a number into a single equality. "Diminished by" means subtracted.
### Step-by-step Solution
**Given:**
* Let the unknown number be $x$.
* Fifth part increased by $4$: $\frac{x}{5} + 4$
* Fourth part diminished by $10$: $\frac{x}{4} - 10$
**Calculation:**
Equate the two expressions:
$$ \frac{x}{5} + 4 = \frac{x}{4} - 10 $$
Group the variable terms on one side and the constant terms on the other:
$$ 4 + 10 = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{x}{5} $$
$$ 14 = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{x}{5} $$
Find a common denominator ($20$) for the fractions:
$$ 14 = \frac{5x - 4x}{20} $$
$$ 14 = \frac{x}{20} $$
Solve for $x$ by multiplying both sides by $20$:
$$ x = 14 \times 20 $$
$$ x = 280 $$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
**Option Elimination via Divisibility:**
The problem talks about a "fifth part" ($\frac{x}{5}$) and a "fourth part" ($\frac{x}{4}$). This strongly implies the original number must be perfectly divisible by both $5$ and $4$ (so, divisible by $20$).
Looking at the options: (a) $240$, (b) $260$, (c) $270$, (d) $280$.
All except $270$ are multiples of $20$. So we can likely eliminate (c).
Let's quick-test (d) $280$:
Fifth part of $280 = 56$. Increased by $4 = 60$.
Fourth part of $280 = 70$. Diminished by $10 = 60$.
They match perfectly. Testing options is often faster than algebra here.
### Common Pitfall
A standard error is misplacing the additions and subtractions, for instance, writing $\frac{x+4}{5}$ instead of $\frac{x}{5} + 4$. Read carefully: it is the *part* that is increased, not the whole number before division.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is 280.**