Question 87

Logical Reasoning Puzzles Easy

In an examination, there are 100 questions divided into 3 parts A, B, C, and each part should contain at least one question. Each question in parts A, B, and C carries 1, 2 and 3 marks respectively. Part A is for at least 60% of the total marks and part B should contain 23 questions. How many questions must be set in part C?

(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) Cannot be determined
View Dynamic Solution & Explanation
Correct Solution: Option A

Step-by-step Solution:

Quick Solution

We can solve this puzzle by setting up equations and an inequality based on the given conditions for the number of questions and marks in each part.


1. Set Up Equations for Questions and Marks

  • Let NA, NB, and NC be the number of questions in parts A, B, and C.
  • Let MA, MB, and MC be the marks for each part.

From the problem statement, we can establish the following:

  • Question Count: NA + NB + NC = 100. Since we know NB = 23, this simplifies to NA + NC = 77.
  • Mark Calculation: MA = 1 × NA, MB = 2 × 23 = 46, and MC = 3 × NC.
  • Total Marks: MTotal = MA + MB + MC = NA + 46 + 3NC.


2. Use the 60% Marks Condition

The most important condition is that the marks for Part A must be at least 60% of the total marks for the entire exam:

MA ≥ 0.60 × MTotal

Substituting our expressions for marks and questions:

NA ≥ 0.6 × (NA + 46 + 3NC)

To solve this, we'll use our first equation (NA = 77 - NC) to get an inequality with only one variable, NC:

(77 - NC) ≥ 0.6 × ( (77 - NC) + 46 + 3NC )
77 - NC ≥ 0.6 × (123 + 2NC)
77 - NC ≥ 73.8 + 1.2NC
77 - 73.8 ≥ 1.2NC + NC
3.2 ≥ 2.2NC
NC ≤ 3.2 / 2.2
NC ≤ 1.45...


3. Find the Final Answer

- Our calculation shows that the number of questions in Part C (NC) must be less than or equal to approximately 1.45.
- The problem also states that "each part should contain at least one question," so NC must be 1 or more.
- The only integer that satisfies both conditions (1 ≤ NC ≤ 1.45...) is 1.

Final Answer: There must be 1 question in part C.