The sum of the salaries of A and B is ₹ 2100. A spends 80% of his salary and B spends 70% of his salary. If their savings are in the proportion of 4 : 3, then what is the salary of A?
Aptitude
Ratio and Proportion
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A₹ 700
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B₹ 900
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C₹ 1200
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D₹ 1400
Answer
Correct Answer: ₹ 1400
Explanation
### Concept & Ratio of Savings
When given the total sum of two variables and the ratio of their remaining parts (savings), express the remaining parts as percentages of the original variables and equate them to the given ratio.
$$ \frac{S_A}{S_B} = \frac{4}{3} $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:** Total salary = $₹ 2100$. Ratio of savings = $4 : 3$.
* Let the salary of $A$ be $x$.
* The salary of $B$ will be $(2100 - x)$.
* $A$ spends $80\%$, so $A$ saves $20\%$ of his salary.
* $B$ spends $70\%$, so $B$ saves $30\%$ of his salary.
* Expressing their savings as a ratio:
$$ \frac{0.20x}{0.30(2100 - x)} = \frac{4}{3} $$
* Simplify the decimals:
$$ \frac{2x}{3(2100 - x)} = \frac{4}{3} $$
* Cross-multiply:
$$ 6x = 12(2100 - x) $$
$$ 6x = 25200 - 12x $$
$$ 18x = 25200 $$
* Solve for $x$:
$$ x = \frac{25200}{18} = 1400 $$
* Thus, the salary of $A$ is $₹ 1400$.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Instead of solving the full linear equation, work with the simplified fraction: $\frac{2x}{6300 - 3x} = \frac{4}{3}$. From here, test the options. If $A = 1400$, then $20\%$ of $1400 = 280$. $B = 2100 - 1400 = 700$, and $30\%$ of $700 = 210$. The ratio $280 : 210 = 28 : 21 = 4 : 3$, which matches instantly.
### Common Pitfall
A frequent error is calculating the ratio of their *expenditures* instead of their *savings*. Always carefully read whether the given ratio applies to what they spent or what they kept.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **₹ 1400**.