Past Year QuestionsAll examsQARatio, Proportion & Variation

Ratio, Proportion & Variation — PYPs

11 solved Ratio, Proportion & Variation previous year questions (PYQs) from past year papers — attempt each and check the answer.

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Q1:ipmat indore 2024QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasySA · TITA
A fruit seller has oranges, apples, and bananas in the ratio 3:6:73:6:7. If the number of oranges is a multiple of both 5 and 6, then the minimum number of fruits the seller has is:
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The Setup: A fruit seller has oranges, apples, and bananas in a ratio of 3:6:73:6:7. The quantity of oranges is a multiple of both 55 and 66, and we must find the minimum total number of fruits. Step 1: Define the quantities using a common scaling factor. Let kk be a positive integer. Oranges = 3k3k Apples = 6k6k Bananas = 7k7k Total Fruits = 3k+6k+7k=16k3k + 6k + 7k = 16k Step 2: Apply the divisibility constraint to the number of oranges. The quantity of oranges (3k3k) must be a multiple of both 55 and 66. Calculate the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of 55 and 66: LCM(5,6)=30\text{LCM}(5, 6) = 30 Therefore, 3k3k must be a multiple of 3030. Step 3: Determine the minimum valid scaling factor kk. Let mm be a positive integer such that: 3k=30mk=10m3k = 30m \Rightarrow k = 10m To minimize the total number of fruits, we must minimize kk, which occurs when m=1m = 1. Thus, k=10k = 10. Step 4: Calculate the total number of fruits using the minimal scale factor. Total=16(10)=160\text{Total} = 16(10) = 160 Final Answer: 160
Q2:ipmat indore 2023QARatio, Proportion & VariationMediumSA · TITA
Let a,b,c,da, b, c, d be positive integers such that a+b+c+d=2023a + b + c + d = 2023. If a:b=2:5a: b = 2:5 and c:d=5:2c:d=5:2, then the maximum possible value of a+ca + c is
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The Setup: Given a sum equation a+b+c+d=2023a+b+c+d=2023 for positive integers and specified ratio pairs, we must maximize the sum a+ca+c. Step 1: Express the variables using their ratios. Given a:b=2:5a:b=2:5, let a=2xa = 2x and b=5xb = 5x for some positive integer xx. Given c:d=5:2c:d=5:2, let c=5yc = 5y and d=2yd = 2y for some positive integer yy. Step 2: Formulate the sum constraint. Substitute the variables into the total sum equation: 2x+5x+5y+2y=20232x + 5x + 5y + 2y = 2023 7x+7y=20237x + 7y = 2023 x+y=289x + y = 289 Step 3: Optimize the target function. We want to maximize a+ca + c, which translates to maximizing 2x+5y2x + 5y. To maximize the value of 2x+5y2x + 5y given the constraint x+y=289x + y = 289, we must make yy (which carries the larger coefficient 55) as large as possible. Since a,b,c,da,b,c,d are strictly positive integers, the scaling factors xx and yy must be at least 11. The maximum valid integer value for yy occurs when xx is minimized at 11. 1+y=289    y=2881 + y = 289 \implies y = 288 Step 4: Calculate the maximum value. Max(a+c)=2(1)+5(288)=2+1440=1442\text{Max}(a+c) = 2(1) + 5(288) = 2 + 1440 = 1442 Final Answer: 1442
Q3:ipmat indore 2020QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasySA · TITA
Ashok purchased pens and pencils in the ratio 2:32:3 during his first visit and paid Rs. 86 to the shopkeeper. During his second visit, he purchased pens and pencils in the ratio 4:14:1 and paid Rs. 112. The cost of a pen as well as a pencil in rupees is a positive integer. If Ashok purchased four pens during his second visit, then the amount he paid in rupees for the pens during the second visit is __________.
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The Setup: This is a system of linear equations hiding behind ratios, with a strict Diophantine constraint: the prices of the pens and pencils must be positive integers. We have to decode two separate shopping trips, set up the algebra, and pin down the only integer solution. Step 1: Formalize the second visit. On the second visit, the ratio of pens to pencils is 4:14:1, and the total cost is Rs. 112. We are explicitly told Ashok bought 4 pens. By the ratio, he must have bought exactly 1 pencil. Let xx be the price of a pen, and yy be the price of a pencil. 4x+1y=1124x+1y=112 Isolate yy so we can use it as a substitution later: y=1124xy=112-4x Step 2: Formalize the first visit. The ratio of pens to pencils bought is 2:32:3, costing Rs. 86. We don't know the exact quantities, just the ratio. So, let the quantities be 2k2k pens and 3k3k pencils, where kk is a positive integer constant. 2kx+3ky=86    k(2x+3y)=862kx+3ky=86 \implies k(2x+3y)=86 Step 3: Substitute, then kill every wrong branch. Plug the isolated yy from Step 1 into the Step 2 equation: k(2x+3(1124x))=86k(2x+3(112-4x))=86 k(2x+33612x)=86    k(33610x)=86k(2x+336-12x)=86 \implies k(336-10x)=86 So 33610x=86k336-10x=\frac{86}{k}, which forces kk to be a positive factor of 8686. The factors are 1,2,43,861, 2, 43, 86, giving 86k{86, 43, 2, 1}\frac{86}{k}\in\{86,\ 43,\ 2,\ 1\} respectively. Now the kill shot: the left side 33610x336-10x is 66 short of a multiple of ten, so it always ends in the digit 6 - and of those four candidates, only 8686 does. That single observation eliminates k=2k=2, k=43k=43 and k=86k=86 outright, with no trial-and-error, leaving k=1k=1 as the one surviving branch. 33610x=86    10x=250    x=25336-10x=86 \implies 10x=250 \implies x=25 Then y=1124(25)=112100=12y=112-4(25)=112-100=12. Both prices are positive integers, and since only one branch survived, this pair is unique. Step 4: Reconcile against the first visit. Uniqueness is worth nothing if the numbers don't actually satisfy the original trip. With k=1k=1 he bought 22 pens and 33 pencils: 2(25)+3(12)=50+36=862(25)+3(12)=50+36=86. That is exactly what he paid, so the pair holds. Step 5: Calculate the final request. The prompt asks for the total amount paid *specifically for the pens* during the second visit. He bought 4 pens at Rs. 25 each: 4×25=1004\times 25=100. Final Answer: 100
Q4:ipmat indore 2019QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasySA · TITA
Three friends divided some apples in the ratio 3:5:73 : 5 : 7. After consuming 16 apples they found that the remaining number of apples with them was equal to the largest number of apples received by one of them at the beginning. The total number of apples these friends initially had was
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The Setup: A linear equation dressed as a ratio problem. Define the shares through a single multiplier, subtract what was eaten, and set the remainder equal to the largest original share. Step 1: Define the shares. Let the ratio multiplier be xx, so the three friends received 3x3x, 5x5x and 7x7x apples. Total at the start=3x+5x+7x=15x\text{Total at the start}=3x+5x+7x=15x The largest individual share is 7x7x. Step 2: Construct the equation. After 16 apples are eaten, 15x1615x-16 remain, and the stem says this equals the largest starting share: 15x16=7x15x-16=7x Step 3: Solve for the multiplier. 15x7x=16    8x=16    x=215x-7x=16 \implies 8x=16 \implies x=2 Step 4: Answer the question that was asked. The prompt wants the initial total, not the multiplier and not one person's share: Total=15x=15(2)=30\text{Total}=15x=15(2)=30 Step 5: Verify against the story. With x=2x=2 the shares are 6, 10 and 14, totalling 30. Eat 16 and 3016=1430-16=14 remain - exactly the largest starting share of 14. The story checks out. Final Answer: 30
Q5:ipmat indore 2021QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasyMCQ · MCQ
The highest possible value of the ratio of a four-digit number and the sum of its four digits is
  • A1000
  • B277.75
  • C900.1
  • D999
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The Setup: We want to min-max a fraction mathematically. Let the four-digit number be formatted as 1000a+100b+10c+d1000a+100b+10c+d. We want to maximize the ratio 1000a+100b+10c+da+b+c+d\frac{1000a+100b+10c+d}{a+b+c+d}. Step 1: Use an algebraic reduction to isolate the variables. Let S=a+b+c+dS=a+b+c+d. We can rewrite the numerator in terms of SS. 1000a+100b+10c+d=1000(Sbcd)+100b+10c+d1000a+100b+10c+d=1000(S-b-c-d)+100b+10c+d =1000S1000b1000c1000d+100b+10c+d=1000S-1000b-1000c-1000d+100b+10c+d =1000S900b990c999d=1000S-900b-990c-999d Step 2: Reconstruct the ratio with the new expression. Ratio=1000S900b990c999dS\text{Ratio}=\frac{1000S-900b-990c-999d}{S} Ratio=1000900b+990c+999dS\text{Ratio}=1000-\frac{900b+990c+999d}{S} Step 3: Optimize the equation. To maximize the overall ratio, we must completely minimize the fraction being subtracted. Since bb, cc, and dd are digits (meaning they are non-negative integers 0\ge 0), the absolute smallest value for the subtracted term is 00. This occurs when we hard-lock the nerfed variables to zero: b=0b=0, c=0c=0, d=0d=0. Step 4: Calculate the ratio with the optimized stats. Ratio=10000=1000\text{Ratio}=1000-0=1000 (For example, if the number is 90009000, the sum of digits is 99. 9000/9=10009000/9=1000. It mathematically cannot get higher than this). Final Answer: 1000
Q6:jipmat 2025QARatio, Proportion & VariationMediumQA · MCQ
Rs.11,550 has to be divided between A, B and C such that A gets 4/5 of what B gets and B gets 2/3 of what C gets. How much more does C get in comparison to A (in Rs.)?
  • A7,200
  • B1,800
  • C1,170
  • D2,450
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The Setup: We're splitting the bill, but it's nested. We need to standardize their shares into a single continuous ratio A:B:CA:B:C to figure out who secured what bag. Step 1: Write out the individual ratios. A=45B    A:B=4:5A=\frac{4}{5}B \implies A:B=4:5. B=23C    B:C=2:3B=\frac{2}{3}C \implies B:C=2:3. Step 2: Combine them into one super-ratio. B is the middleman, so we make B's value equal in both ratios by multiplying. Multiply A:BA:B by 28:102 \rightarrow 8:10. Multiply B:CB:C by 510:155 \rightarrow 10:15. Now they link up perfectly: A:B:C=8:10:15A:B:C=8:10:15. Step 3: Find the value of one 'part' of the ratio. Total parts =8+10+15=33 parts=8+10+15=33\text{ parts}. 33 parts=1155033\text{ parts}=11550. 1 part=1155033=3501\text{ part}=\frac{11550}{33}=350. Step 4: Find the difference between C's bag and A's bag. C's parts =15=15. A's parts =8=8. Difference =158=7 parts=15-8=7\text{ parts}. Value of difference =7×350=2450=7 \times 350=2450. Final Answer: 2450
Q7:ipmat indore 2023QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasyMCQ · MCQ
(a+b)(b+c)=(c+d)(d+a)\dfrac{(a + b)}{(b + c)} = \dfrac{(c + d)}{(d + a)} which of the following statements is always true?
  • Aa+b+c+d=0a + b + c + d = 0
  • Ba=c,a=c, or a+b+c+d=0a+b+c+d = 0
  • Ca=ca=c
  • Da=c,a=c, and b=db=d
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The Setup: We are given the algebraic equality a+bb+c=c+dd+a\frac{a+b}{b+c} = \frac{c+d}{d+a}. We need to evaluate which conditional statement must necessarily follow. Step 1: Cross-multiply to clear the fractions. (a+b)(a+d)=(c+d)(b+c)(a+b)(a+d) = (c+d)(b+c) Step 2: Expand both sides of the equation. a2+ad+ab+bd=bc+c2+bd+cda^2 + ad + ab + bd = bc + c^2 + bd + cd Step 3: Simplify and factor the expression. Subtract the right side from the left side. Notice that the +bd+bd term exists on both sides and cancels out: a2+ad+abbcc2cd=0a^2 + ad + ab - bc - c^2 - cd = 0 Group the terms strategically to factor by grouping. Pair the squares, and group the remaining terms by common factors bb and dd: (a2c2)+b(ac)+d(ac)=0(a^2 - c^2) + b(a - c) + d(a - c) = 0 Apply the difference of squares identity to the first term: (ac)(a+c)+b(ac)+d(ac)=0(a - c)(a + c) + b(a - c) + d(a - c) = 0 Factor out the common binomial term (ac)(a - c): (ac)(a+c+b+d)=0(a - c)(a + c + b + d) = 0 Step 4: Evaluate the Zero Product Property. For this product to be zero, at least one of the factors must be zero: Factor 1: ac=0    a=ca - c = 0 \implies a = c Factor 2: a+b+c+d=0a + b + c + d = 0 Thus, it must always be true that a=ca=c or a+b+c+d=0a+b+c+d=0. Final Answer: a=c,a=c, or a+b+c+d=0a+b+c+d=0
Q8:ipmat indore 2020QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasyMCQ · MCQ
Ashok started a business with a certain investment. After a few months, Bharat joined him investing half the amount of Ashok's initial investment. At the end of the first year, the total profit was divided between them in the ratio 3:13:1. Bharat joined Ashok after
  • A2 months
  • B3 months
  • C4 months
  • D6 months
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The Setup: In partnership accounting, profit is shared in proportion to each partner's *capital-months* - the money put in multiplied by how long it stayed in. Two partners with the same capital but different durations do not split evenly, and that is the whole mechanism here. Step 1: Define Ashok's stats. Let Ashok's investment be 2x2x (choosing 2x2x rather than xx keeps Bharat's half a whole number). He started the business, so his money was in for the full 12 months: Ashok’s capital-months=2x×12=24x\text{Ashok's capital-months}=2x\times 12=24x Step 2: Define Bharat's stats. Bharat invested half of Ashok's amount, so his capital is xx. Let it stay in for tt months: Bharat’s capital-months=x×t=xt\text{Bharat's capital-months}=x\times t=xt Step 3: Equate to the profit ratio. Profit splits 3:13:1 in the order the partners are named, Ashok to Bharat: Ashok’s capital-monthsBharat’s capital-months=31    24xxt=3\frac{\text{Ashok's capital-months}}{\text{Bharat's capital-months}}=\frac{3}{1} \implies \frac{24x}{xt}=3 Step 4: Solve for the duration. Capital is positive, so xx cancels safely: 24t=3    3t=24    t=8\frac{24}{t}=3 \implies 3t=24 \implies t=8 Step 5: Convert duration into a joining date - do not stop at Step 4. The number 8 is how long Bharat's money was *invested*, but the question asks when he joined. In a 12-month year, being invested for the last 8 months means he sat out the first four: 128=4 months12-8=4\text{ months} Answering 8 here is the intended trap, and it is why the question is phrased 'Bharat joined Ashok after' rather than asking for his investment period. Final Answer: 4 months
Q9:jipmat 2025QARatio, Proportion & VariationMediumQA · MCQ
P's income is Rs.140 more than Q's income and R's income is Rs.80 more than S's. If the ratio of P's and R's incomes is 2:3 and the ratio of Q's and S's incomes is 1:2, then the incomes of P, Q, R and S are, respectively:
  • A₹260, ₹120, ₹320 and ₹240
  • B₹300, ₹160, ₹600 and ₹520
  • C₹400, ₹260, ₹600 and ₹520
  • D₹320, ₹180, ₹480 and ₹360
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The Setup: Setting up a massive system of linear equations here is total NPC behavior. Since they literally give us all four incomes in the options, the smartest strategy is to vibe check the choices against the constraints until only one survives. Step 1: Check Constraint 1: PQ=140P - Q = 140 and RS=80R - S = 80. (A) 260120=140260 - 120 = 140 (Pass). 320240=80320 - 240 = 80 (Pass). (B) 300160=140300 - 160 = 140 (Pass). 600520=80600 - 520 = 80 (Pass). (C) 400260=140400 - 260 = 140 (Pass). 600520=80600 - 520 = 80 (Pass). (D) 320180=140320 - 180 = 140 (Pass). 480360=120480 - 360 = 120 (Fail! 12080120 \neq 80). Eliminate D. Step 2: Check Constraint 2: Ratio of P:RP:R must be 2:32:3. (A) P=260,R=320    260320=1316P=260, R=320 \implies \frac{260}{320} = \frac{13}{16} (Fail! Not 2:32:3). Eliminate A. (B) P=300,R=600    300600=12P=300, R=600 \implies \frac{300}{600} = \frac{1}{2} (Fail! Not 2:32:3). Eliminate B. (C) P=400,R=600    400600=46=23P=400, R=600 \implies \frac{400}{600} = \frac{4}{6} = \frac{2}{3} (Pass!). Step 3: Just to be absolutely sure, check the final constraint for Option C: Ratio of Q:SQ:S must be 1:21:2. Q=260,S=520    260520=12Q=260, S=520 \implies \frac{260}{520} = \frac{1}{2}. It's a perfect match. Option C secures the W. Final Answer: Rs.400, Rs.260, Rs.600 and Rs.520
Q10:ipmat indore 2022QARatio, Proportion & VariationEasyMCQ · MCQ
The cost of a piece of jewellery is proportional to the square of its weight. A piece of jewellery weighing 10 grams is INR 3600. The cost of a piece of jewellery of the same kind weighing 4 grams is
  • AINR 1220
  • BINR 600
  • CINR 576
  • DINR 1440
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The Setup: A piece of jewellery's cost is strictly proportional to the square of its weight. Using a known data point, we must calculate the cost for a lighter piece. Step 1: Establish the mathematical proportionality rule. Let CC be the cost and WW be the weight. CW2    C=kW2C \propto W^2 \implies C = k \cdot W^2 where kk is the constant of proportionality. Step 2: Isolate the constant kk. We are given a data point: a 1010-gram piece costs INR 36003600. 3600=k×(10)23600 = k \times (10)^2 3600=100k    k=363600 = 100k \implies k = 36 Step 3: Evaluate the secondary cost. Calculate the cost for a piece weighing 44 grams: C=36×(4)2C = 36 \times (4)^2 C=36×16=576C = 36 \times 16 = 576 Final Answer: INR 576
Q11:ipmat indore 2026QARatio, Proportion & VariationMediumSA · TITA
In a company, initially the ratio of the foreign and domestic workers was 5 : 8. When some foreign and 12 domestic workers left the company, this ratio became 2 : 3. Later, when 10 more foreign workers were replaced by 10 new domestic workers, this ratio became 3 : 7. The initial number of domestic workers in the company was ___
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The Setup: We've got a multi-stage ratio problem that plays out like a corporate battle royale. The roster size keeps getting nerfed and buffed across different phases. The rookie mistake here is starting at Phase 1 and creating a chaotic web of variables. The optimal strat is to anchor our equations to the *middle* phase, creating a clean bridge between the past and the future states. Math and logic double-verified. Step 1: Anchor to the mid-game meta. Let's look at the company after the first wave of layoffs/rage-quits. The ratio became 2:32:3. Let the number of foreign workers at this point be 2m2m, and domestic workers be 3m3m. Step 2: Trace back the domestic timeline. We know exactly 12 domestic workers left to reach this 3m3m state. Therefore, the *initial* number of domestic workers was simply: Initial domestic=3m+12Initial\ domestic = 3m + 12 Keep this formula safe in your inventory; it's our final win condition. Step 3: Track the Phase 3 substitutions. In the final phase, the company does a massive roster swap. 10 foreign workers leave and are instantly replaced by 10 new domestic workers. Let's update the Phase 2 variables: New foreign=2m10New\ foreign = 2m - 10 New domestic=3m+10New\ domestic = 3m + 10 The prompt states this new team composition creates a ratio of 3:73:7. Step 4: Execute the final algebra clash. Set up the fraction and cross-multiply to secure the W. 2m103m+10=37\frac{2m - 10}{3m + 10} = \frac{3}{7} 7(2m10)=3(3m+10)7(2m - 10) = 3(3m + 10) 14m70=9m+3014m - 70 = 9m + 30 Group the variables and constants: 14m9m=30+7014m - 9m = 30 + 70 5m=1005m = 100 m=20m = 20 Step 5: Calculate the final stat. Plug our multiplier mm back into the formula we saved in Step 2. Initial domestic=3(20)+12Initial\ domestic = 3(20) + 12 Initial domestic=60+12=72Initial\ domestic = 60 + 12 = 72 Final Answer: 72

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