Mixed-fruit purchase (linear Diophantine check): Find how many pineapples were bought. Pineapple costs Rs. 7 each; watermelon costs Rs. 5 each; total spend = Rs. 38. Assume only whole fruits can be purchased; determine the pineapple count. Choose the correct value.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 4

Explanation:


Given data

  • Pineapple price = Rs. 7 each.
  • Watermelon price = Rs. 5 each.
  • Total amount spent = Rs. 38.


Concept/Approach
Let p be pineapples and w be watermelons (integers ≥ 0). Solve the linear Diophantine equation: 7p + 5w = 38.


Step-by-step calculation
Reduce mod 5: 7p ≡ 38 (mod 5) ⇒ 2p ≡ 3 (mod 5) ⇒ p ≡ 4 (mod 5).Smallest feasible p = 4. Then cost from pineapples = 4 × 7 = 28.Remaining for watermelons = 38 − 28 = 10 ⇒ w = 10 / 5 = 2 (valid integer).


Verification
7(4) + 5(2) = 28 + 10 = 38 (matches total).


Final Answer
4

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