UPSC Prelims 2005 Q117: Science & Technology – Quantitative Aptitude
- (a) 35
- (b) 45
- (c) 55
- (d) 60
Answer: (c) 55
Explanation
> Note for students: As printed, the data are inconsistent (110 + 160 men exceeds 180 Indians). The intended reading 'men or judges' gives 55, so choose (c) 55 if you meet it, or skip it to avoid a negative mark.
Counting Indian women at the meeting
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| Total participants | 300 |
| Foreigners | 120, so Indians = 180 |
| Judges (all Indian) | The printed data give men non-judges as 110, men judges as 160 and women judges as 35 |
| Reading that fits the data | '160 are men or judges' among the 180 Indians: neither men nor judges = 180 - 160 = 20 women non-judges |
As printed, 110 men non-judges plus 160 men judges exceeds the 180 Indians, so the data are inconsistent. Reading the second figure as 'men or judges' makes the data consistent: 20 Indians are neither men nor judges, so they are women who are not judges, and with 35 women judges the Indian women number 55.
Answer: (c) 55.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 35 counts only the women judges.
- (b) Incorrect. 45 does not match 35 + 20.
- (c) CORRECT. 35 + 20 = 55 Indian women.
- (d) Incorrect. 60 is not supported by the data.
Key point
Indians who are neither men nor judges are women who are non-judges.
Remember
300 - 120 = 180 Indians; 180 - 160 = 20 women non-judges; 20 + 35 = 55.
Common mistakes
- Reading 160 as men judges only, which overshoots 180.
- Forgetting the 120 foreigners to be removed first.
- Adding the 110 men non-judges to the women.
Exam tip
Draw a Venn diagram of Men and Judges inside the 180 Indians.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Mathematics — Sets
- R. S. Aggarwal — A Modern Approach to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (Logical Venn Diagrams)