UPSC Prelims 2016·CSAT·Quantitative Aptitude·Arithmetic

The total emoluments of two persons are the same, but one gets allowances to the extent of 65% of his basic pay and the other gets allowances to the extent of 80% of his basic pay. The ratio of the basic pay of the former to the basic pay of the latter is:

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A16:13
  2. B5:4
  3. C7:5
  4. D12:11Correct

Explanation

Let the basic pay of the first person be P1 and the second person be P2. Total emoluments = basic pay + allowances. For person 1 (65% allowance): Total = P1 + 0.65 P1 = 1.65 P1 For person 2 (80% allowance): Total = P2 + 0.80 P2 = 1.80 P2 Since total emoluments are equal: 1.65 P1 = 1.80 P2 P1 / P2 = 1.80 / 1.65 = 180 / 165 Dividing both by 15: P1 / P2 = 12 / 11 Verification: 1.65 × 12 = 19.8 and 1.80 × 11 = 19.8 ✓ The ratio of the basic pay of the first person to the second is 12:11.
Quantitative Aptitude: The total emoluments of two persons are the same, but one gets allowances to the extent of 65% of his basic pay and the

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.