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 & Formula
This problem requires constructing an equation where two different modifications to fractions of the same unknown number are set equal to each other.
$$ \frac{x}{5} + 4 = \frac{x}{4} - 10 $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* Let the unknown number be $x$.
* Its fifth part increased by 4 can be written as:
$$ \frac{x}{5} + 4 $$
* Its fourth part diminished by 10 can be written as:
$$ \frac{x}{4} - 10 $$
* Set these two expressions equal to each other:
$$ \frac{x}{5} + 4 = \frac{x}{4} - 10 $$
* Bring all the numerical constants to one side and the variable terms to 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 on the right side:
$$ 14 = \frac{5x - 4x}{20} $$
$$ 14 = \frac{x}{20} $$
* Multiply by 20 to find $x$:
$$ x = 14 \times 20 = 280 $$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Notice the fractions involved: $\frac{1}{4}$ and $\frac{1}{5}$. The difference between them is $\frac{1}{20}$.
The problem tells us that a smaller fraction ($\frac{1}{5}$) plus 4 equals a larger fraction ($\frac{1}{4}$) minus 10.
The total gap between the fractional parts is $4 + 10 = 14$.
So, $\frac{1}{20}$ of the number is 14. The number must be $14 \times 20 = 280$.
### Common Pitfall
A common mistake is mixing up the operations, for example, writing "diminished by 10" as $10 - \frac{x}{4}$ instead of $\frac{x}{4} - 10$. Always preserve the order of operations described in the text.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is 280.**