A city has population 300,000, including 180,000 males. Overall, 50% are literate. If 70% of males are literate, how many literate females are there?

Introduction / Context:
This problem uses aggregated literacy data to infer female literacy count. The trick is to compute total literates from the overall percentage, subtract literate males, and the remainder must be literate females.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Total population = 300,000.
• Males = 180,000 ⇒ Females = 120,000.
• Overall literates = 50% of total.
• Male literates = 70% of males.

Concept / Approach:
Compute literates: total literates first, then male literates. Subtract to find female literates. No need for percentages of females directly once male and total figures are known.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Female literacy rate = 24,000 / 120,000 = 20%. Check totals: 126,000 + 24,000 = 150,000, matches overall literates.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
30,000; 54,000; 60,000; 42,000 do not satisfy the balancing condition with the total literate count and the given male figure.

Common Pitfalls:
Applying 50% separately to each gender or miscomputing the female population as 140,000. Keep track of group sizes and totals carefully.

Final Answer:
24000