$\frac{1}{4}$ of a tank holds 135 litres of water. What part of the tank is full if it contains 180 litres of water?
Aptitude
Simplification
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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A\frac{1}{6}
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B\frac{1}{3}
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C\frac{2}{3}
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D\frac{2}{5}
Answer
Correct Answer: \frac{1}{3}
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
This follows the rule of Direct Proportion. The volume of water contained varies directly with the fractional part of the tank that is full.
$$\frac{\text{Fraction}_1}{\text{Volume}_1} = \frac{\text{Fraction}_2}{\text{Volume}_2}$$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Find the full capacity of the tank:**
$$\frac{1}{4} \text{ of Capacity} = 135 \text{ litres}$$
$$\text{Total Capacity} = 135 \times 4 = 540 \text{ litres}$$
* **Calculate the required fraction for 180 litres:**
$$\text{Required Fraction} = \frac{\text{Current Volume}}{\text{Total Capacity}} = \frac{180}{540}$$
* **Simplify the fraction:**
$$\text{Required Fraction} = \frac{18}{54} = \frac{1}{3}$$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Set up a direct equation to find the solution without computing the total capacity explicitly:
$$\text{Required Fraction} = \frac{180}{135} \times \frac{1}{4}$$
Divide 180 and 135 by 45 ($45 \times 4 = 180$, $45 \times 3 = 135$):
$$\text{Required Fraction} = \frac{4}{3} \times \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{3}$$
### Common Pitfall
Inverting the relationship and computing $\frac{135}{180} \times \frac{1}{4}$, which yields $\frac{3}{16}$ and creates confusion when it doesn't appear in the options list.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is \frac{1}{3}.**