Multiple choice general knowledge math & puzzles

In an examination 80% students passed in Physics, 70% in Chemistry, while 15% failed in both the subjects. If 390 students passed in both the subjects, find the total number of students who appeared in the examination.

  1. 360

  2. 576

  3. 600

  4. 490

  5. 640

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Using set theory and inclusion-exclusion principle: If 15% failed both subjects, then 85% passed at least one subject. Let P be total students. Those passing only Physics = 0.80P - 390, those passing only Chemistry = 0.70P - 390, and 390 passed both. So: (0.80P - 390) + (0.70P - 390) + 390 = 0.85P. Solving: 1.50P - 390 = 0.85P, giving 0.65P = 390, so P = 600. Option C (600) is correct.

AI explanation

To find the total number of students who appeared in the examination, we can use the concept of set theory and Venn diagrams.

Let's assume the total number of students who appeared in the examination is represented by the variable 'x'.

According to the given information:

  • 80% of students passed in Physics, which means 80% of 'x' students passed in Physics.
  • 70% of students passed in Chemistry, which means 70% of 'x' students passed in Chemistry.
  • 15% of students failed in both the subjects, which means 15% of 'x' students failed in both Physics and Chemistry.
  • 390 students passed in both the subjects.

Using this information, we can create an equation based on the principle of inclusion-exclusion: (Number of students who passed in Physics) + (Number of students who passed in Chemistry) - (Number of students who passed in both) + (Number of students who failed in both) = Total number of students

Let's solve this equation to find the value of 'x':

(80% of x) + (70% of x) - (390) + (15% of x) = x

Simplifying the equation: 0.80x + 0.70x - 390 + 0.15x = x 1.65x - 390 = x 0.65x = 390 x = 390 / 0.65 x = 600

Therefore, the total number of students who appeared in the examination is 600.

Hence, the correct answer is option C) 600.