The value of $x$ where $x : 2\frac{1}{3} : : 21 : 50$ is
Aptitude
Ratio and Proportion
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A$1\frac{1}{49}$
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B$1\frac{1}{50}$
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C$\frac{49}{50}$
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D$\frac{27}{50}$
Answer
Correct Answer: $\frac{49}{50}$
Explanation
### Concept & Proportion
In a proportion where four terms are related as $a : b : : c : d$, the product of the extreme terms (outer terms) is equal to the product of the mean terms (inner terms).
$$ a \times d = b \times c $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:** The proportion is $x : 2\frac{1}{3} : : 21 : 50$.
* **Convert mixed fraction:** Convert $2\frac{1}{3}$ to an improper fraction: $\frac{(2 \times 3) + 1}{3} = \frac{7}{3}$.
* **Set up the equation:** Use the product of extremes equals product of means rule.
$x \times 50 = \frac{7}{3} \times 21$
* **Simplify:**
$50x = 7 \times 7$
$50x = 49$
* **Solve for $x$:**
$x = \frac{49}{50}$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Treat the proportion as equivalent fractions: $\frac{x}{7/3} = \frac{21}{50}$. Simply cross-multiply the $7/3$ to the right side: $x = \frac{21 \times (7/3)}{50}$. The $3$ cancels into the $21$ giving $7$. So, $x = \frac{7 \times 7}{50} = \frac{49}{50}$.
### Common Pitfall
A frequent mistake is improperly converting the mixed number $2\frac{1}{3}$, or incorrectly pairing the extremes and means, leading to a flipped fraction.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **$\frac{49}{50}$**.