NIMCET 2013 Logical Reasoning Question 72 with Solution

Question 72

Logical Reasoning Puzzles Hard

Direction: Questions are based on the following: 1. A blacksmith has five iron articles A, B, C, D and E, each having a different weight. 2. A weighs twice as much as B 3. B weighs four and half times as much as C 4. C weighs half as much as D 5. D weighs half as much as E 6. E weighs less than A but more than C Which of the following article is heaviest in weight?

(A) A

(B) B

(C) C

(D) D

View Dynamic Solution & Explanation ▼

Correct Solution: Option A

Step-by-step Solution:

Quick Solution

The best way to solve this ranking puzzle is to express the weight of every article in terms of a single base article. Let's use the weight of article C as our base unit, as several other weights are related to it.

1. Expressing Each Weight in Terms of C

Let the weight of article C be represented by the variable x.
From clue 3, "C weighs half as much as D," it follows that D = 2x.
From clue 4, "D weighs half as much as E," it follows that E = 2D, so E = 4x.
From clue 2, "B weighs four and half times as much as C," it follows that B = 4.5x.
From clue 1, "A weighs twice as much as B," it follows that A = 2B, so A = 9x.

2. Comparing the Weights

Now we have the weight of every article expressed in terms of 'x', allowing for a direct comparison. The ranking from heaviest to lightest is:

A = 9x (Heaviest)
B = 4.5x
E = 4x
D = 2x
C = x (Lightest)

(We can verify this ranking with the final clue, "E weighs less than A but more than C". Our result, A > E > C (or 9x > 4x > x), confirms this is correct.)

Final Answer: Comparing all the derived weights, the heaviest article is A.