For three numbers, the ratio of the first and the second number is (2 : 3) and that of the second to the third number is (4 : 5). If the sum of the three numbers is 140, then what is the value of the second number?

Let the three numbers be in the ratio 2:3 for first:second and 4:5 for second:third. For the second number to be consistent, convert to a combined ratio. First:second = 2:3 = 8:12 and second:third = 4:5 = 12:15. So the three numbers are in ratio 8:12:15. Let them be 8x, 12x, 15x. Sum = 35x = 140, so x = 4. The second number is 12x = 48. Option A gives 60, which would be the value if x=5 (incorrect calculation).