Quantitative Aptitude

Ratio and Proportion, Averages, Mixtures and Alligation

Importance in CAT
Ratio and Proportion, Averages and Mixtures and Alligation are broadly categorized under Arithmetic Its importance in CAT is relatively less (2 to 4%) but questions related to these topics are more frequent in regional entrance tests

Key Concepts
Ratio and Proportion
Ratios (Scaling and comparison of ratios) Proportion Continued proportion (geometric mean)

Averages
Averages Arithmetic, geometric and harmonic mean Weighted average Median and mode

Mixtures and Allligation

Alligation cross Alligation line Successive replacements

Types of Questions frequently asked

Ratio and Proportion
Work and Remuneration (Partnerships) Questions based on compenendo-dividendo-invertendo-alternendo Miscellaneous questions based on ratios and proportion

Averages, Mixtures and Alligation

Questions based on Mean, Median and Mode Questions based on Weighted averages Questions based on application of Averages and Mixtures and Alligation

Properties - Ratios and Proportion

and

are two unequal ratios.

.

If a d > b c then >

ratios. For a given ratio ,
2 2

This property is used to compare

is the duplicate

3 ratio, 3
3

is the triplicate ratio,

is the

sub duplicate ratio and 3

is the sub triplicate ratio.

If the given simultaneous equations are: p1x + q1y + r1z = 0 and p2x + q2y + r2z = 0 then, x : y : z = q1r2 q2r1 : r1p2 r2p1 : p1q2 p2q1

Properties - Ratios and Proportion

If a < b, then
: :

>

and

<

If a > b, then
: < and > : : If > , then > :

and if

< , then

<

: :

If a : b :: c : d or a/b = c/d, then

=
=

Alternendo Law
Invertendo Law

Properties - Ratios and Proportion

: : = ; ; = ; ; = : :

Componendo Law

Dividendo Law
Componendo and Dividendo Law

If If

= =

= =

= , then =

:: ::

=
: : : :

and , , are real numbers, then

Examples Ratio and Proportion

Asha, Altheda and Amata had a total of Rs. 2750 with them. They decided to divide this money between themselves such that 1/4th of Ashas share was equal to 1/5th of Althedas share, which in turn was equal to half of Amatas share. How much money did Amata receive? Solution: Assume that the money received by Asha, Altheda and Amata is x, y, and z. Hence, = =
4 5 2

y = 5x/4 and z = x/2 Thus, the ratio of Asha, Altheda and Amata becomes 1 : 5/4 : 1/2; which is equivalent to 4 : 5 : 2. Hence, Amata received 2/11 2750 = Rs. 500

Examples Ratio and Proportion

Let a, b, c, d and e be integers such that a = 6b = 12c, and 2b = 9d = 12e. :4 Then what is the value of ? Solution: The given data states that a = 6b = 12c and 2b = 9d = 12e a : b : c = 12 : 2 : 1 Divide equation (2) by 36 (l.c.m of 2, 9 and 12) to get
2:3:5

(1) (2)
12 18

Divide equation (1) by 12 (l.c.m of 1, 6 and 12) to get

= =

2 4

= =

1 3

b : d : e = 18 : 4 : 3 b is common in both the given ratios so we will find out the l.c.m. of and 9 which is 18. Thus a : b : c can be written as 108:18:9 a : b : c : d : e = 108 : 18 : 9 : 4 : 3 a = 108k; b = 18k; c = 9k; d = 4k and e = 3k where k is an integer Thus
: ::

: : :

Examples Ratio and Proportion

Three numbers are in continued proportion. Their mean proportional is 10 and the sum of the other two is 29. Find the numbers. Solution: Let a, b and c be the numbers which are in continued proportion. Thus = b2 = ac Then, b = 10

b2 = ac = 100 and a + c = 29
+
100

= 29

2 29 + 100 = 0 2 4 25 + 100 = 0 25 4 = 0 a = 25 and c = 4 or a = 4 and c = 25

Examples Ratio and Proportion

Solve the
(7:5)2 : (7;5)2 following equation: (7:5)2 ; (7;5)2

25 24

Solution:
Using the Componendo and Dividendo law, we get
(7:5)2 (7;5)2

=
7 1

49 1

Taking square roots on both the sides, we get

7:5 7;5

or

7:5 7;5

;7 1

7x + 5 = 49x 35 or 7x + 5 = 49x + 35 42x = 40 or 56x = 30 x = 20/21 or x = 15/28

Examples Ratio and Proportion

If

: , prove

that

:;

:;

:;

Solution:

We will solve the given problem using the rule: :: if = = = , then =

::

Add the first two ratios and subtract the third ratio from it to get
2::;; :;

2 :;

Similarly, add the second and third ratio and subtract the first ratio from it
to get
2::;; :;

2 :;

Similarly, add the first and third ratio and subtract the second ratio from it

to get

2:: c:a b

2 :;

Each of the above obtained equations are equal to each other Hence we can conclude that = =
:; :; :;

Examples Ratio and Proportion

Amber Chew opened a departmental store at Great India Palace in Noida by investing Rs. 20 million. After a few months, her brother Sheesh Chew joined the business and invested Rs. 30 million. At the end of the year, the profit was shared in the ratio of 3 : 2. After how many months did Ambers brother join the business? Solution: Amber Chew invested Rs. 20 million for a total period of 12 months. Assume that Sheesh Chew joined the business after x months. Then, Sheesh Chew invested Rs. 30 million, but only for a period of (12 x) months. Amber and Sheesh shared profits in the ratio 3 : 2. Hence, = 30 12; 2 x = 20/3 = 6.67 months Thus, Ambers brother joins the business after 6 months (and 20 days).
20 12 3

Averages definitions and formulae

Average of a set of given data is a form of proportions. It is usually the middle value of a set of data and is also known as mean.

Average (Arithmetic mean) =

Sum of all terms Number of terms

Average (Geometric mean) = root of product of all the terms given in a set of data.

Harmonic mean =

1 1 1 : : : 1 2

where 1 , 2 , are elements of the given data set. As an example harmonic mean is used to find average speed when same distance is travelled with different speeds. Relationship between means: Arithmetic Mean > Geometric Mean > Harmonic Mean

Averages definitions and formulae

Weighted Average: Weight stand for relative importance given to different values or parameters.

Weighted Average =

1 1 :2 2 : : 1 :2 ::

Here, w1, w2, wn are the individual weights. Many problems of weighted averages which involve mixtures are also solved using the method of Alligation. Median: Middle value of a group of numbers in ascending/descending order. Median of a set having n numbers =
:1 th number 2

if is odd and arithmetic mean of

and

+1

th

numbers if is even Mode: The most frequent number in a set of numbers.

Examples - Averages
After every test, Rajiv calculates his cumulative average. QT and OB were his last two tests. 83 marks in QT increased his average by 2. 75 marks in OB further increased his average by 1. Reasoning is the next test, if he gets 51 in Reasoning, his average will be _____. Solution: Let the average marks of Rajiv and the number of tests he gave before giving QT be a and n respectively. 83 marks in QT increased his average by 2

+ 2 =
+ 3 =

(:83) (:1)

a + 2n = 81
2a + 3n = 152

(i)
(ii)

75 marks in OB further increased his average by 1

(:83:75) (:2)

Solving equation (i) and (ii), we get the value of n = 10 and a = 61 Hence, a n = 610 He gets 51 in his next test Reasoning =
:: :

Examples - Averages
The average weight of a school football team (consisting of 22 members) decreases by half a kilogram if the goalie is not included. What is the goalies weight, if the average weight of the team initially was 60 kg?
Solution: It is given to us that the average weight of the team consisting of 22 players is 60 kg. Thus the total weight of all the players = 60 22 = 1320 Assume that the goalies weight is x. The average weight of the team excluding the goalie is 59.5 59.5 = Alternatively, we can use the direct formula to calculate the goalies age New Average
1320 21

= 70.5 kg

= Original Average +
59.5 = 60 + = 70.5
:60 21

Value of newly added/subtracted itemOriginal Average Number of items (after addition/substraction)

Examples - Averages
Ankush is planning to take a housing loan from a bank. He is confused about taking a floating or fixed rate of interest. The fixed rate of interest has remained constant at 12% for the last 3 years. The floating rate of interest was 12%, 15% and 14% in the last 3 years. Based on this data, should Ankush opt for floating or fixed rate of interest? Solution: The fixed rate of interest remained constant at 12% for the last three years. The floating rate of interest was 12%, 15% and 14% Geometric mean is used to calculate average interest rates. Average rate of interest for 3 years = (1.12 1.15 1.14)1/3 = 1.136 The average floating rate of interest for the three years is 13.6%. Hence, based on this data, Ankush should opt for fixed rate of interest.

Examples - Averages
A final year MBA student gets 50% in the exam and 80% in the assignments. If the exam should count for 70% of the final result and the assignment for 30%, what will be the final score of the student, if professors decide to use weighted harmonic mean to uneven performances? Solution: The formula for weighted Harmonic Mean = 1 1
:2 : 2 1 2

Let W1 and W2 be the weights assigned to the exam and assignment respectively. W1 = 70% and W2 = 30% Let X1 and X2 be percentage marks obtained by the student in the exam and assignment respectively. X1 = 50% and X2 = 80% Thus, Weighted Harmonic Mean =
70:30
70 30 : 50 80

. %

Examples - Averages
Find the median and mode of the set of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 7, 5, 9, 2, 12, 2, 13, 4, 10, 2, 8, 2, 6?
Solution: The numbers can be arranged in an ascending order as follows. 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 There are 16 numbers present in this set. Thus the median of the given set is the arithmetic mean of the 8th and 9th numbers. Median = (4 + 5)/2 = 4.5 The number 2 occurs maximum number of times. Hence, the mode is 2.

Mixtures And Alligation Concepts and Applications

Problems related to weighted averages can be solved using the method of Alligation Concepts : Cross Alligation Line Alligation Successive replacement Rule of Alligation:
1 2

2 ; ;1

, where w1 and w2 are weights of

given parameters and x is the weighted average. This method is used for problems related to: -- Mixtures -- distribution of a parameter in two different groups Successive Replacement: If a vessel of x litres of A and y litres of A is removed and replaced by water and the process is followed n times, then the amount of A remaining in the solution after n replacements = Quantity of total mixture
;

Examples Mixtures and Alligation

Two solutions contain petrol and diesel in the ratio 2 : 3 and 3 : 7. In what ratio should the two solutions be mixed so that the ratio of the petrol and the diesel in the final mixture is 7 : 13?

Solution:
We will solve the given problem first by using the weighted average method and then by using Alligation Cross and Alligation Line. Let the two solutions be solution A and solution B. Solution A contains petrol and diesel in the ratio 2 : 3 which implies that 2/5th portion of the solution is petrol. Similarly 3/10th portion of solution B is petrol. Assume that A and B are mixed in the ratio a : b such that 7/20th portion of the final mixture should be petrol.

The formula of weighted average =

7 20

1 1 :2 2 1 :2

2 3 : 5 10

On solving the above obtained equation, we will get a = b. Hence A and B should be mixed in 1 : 1 ratio.

Examples Mixtures and Alligation

Let us solve the same problem by using Alligation Cross method. Amount of petrol in solution A = 2/5 = 8/20 Amount of petrol in solution B = 3/10 = 6/20 Amount of petrol required in the final solution = 7/20

It is clearly visible that equal weights of both the solutions will be needed to obtain a mixture which has the desired amount of petrol. This is consistent with the result that we had obtained using the weighted average method.

Examples Mixtures and Alligation

Let us solve the previous example using Alligation Line method now. Amount of petrol in solution A = 2/5 = 8/20 Amount of petrol in solution B = 3/10 = 6/20 Amount of petrol required in the final solution = 7/20 The weighted average rule can be represented as Alligation Line as follows

2/5 a
3 7 10 20 7 2 20 5

7/20

3/10 b
1 2

Now by using the Alligation rule which states that

2 ; ;1

, we get

=1

Thus we get the same answer by each of the three methods.

Examples Mixtures and Alligation

A class of 15 students got an average of 50 marks in an exam, while another class of 30 students got an average of 44 marks in the same exam. If all the students are combined into one class, then what will be the average marks of that class in the exam? Use Alligation Cross method to solve the problem Solution: Let the required average be x. By using Alligation Cross method, we get

By using the Alligation rule, we get = = ;44 15 1 50 x = 2x 88 3x = 138 x = 46 Hence, the average of the new class will be 46 marks.

50;

30

Examples Mixtures and Alligation

A man in charge of maintaining the pH level of a swimming pool is given two bottles of chlorine; the first with a 74% concentration and the second with a 52% concentration. When he mixes the two liquids together, he gets 66 ml of a solution that has 65% chlorine concentration. What was the quantity of chlorine in the second bottle? Use Alligation Line method to solve this problem. Solution: 74 65 52 w1 w2

It is given that concentration in first bottle is 74%, concentration in the second bottle is 52% and the concentration of chlorine in the mixture is 65% Using the Alligation rule, we get
1 2

52 65 65 74

Thus the amount of chlorine in second

13 9 9 bottle = 22

66

52 100

= 14.04 ml

Example Successive Replacements

A vessel is completely filled with petrol. 10 litres is drawn from this vessel and replaced with kerosene. 10 litres of the petrol kerosene mixture is again drawn from the vessel and replaced with kerosene. After the second iteration, the ratio of petrol and kerosene in the vessel is 49 : 32. Find the capacity of the vessel. Solution: Let x be the capacity of the vessel and y be the amount of petrol replaced by kerosene.
Quantity of petrol remaining Quantity of total mixture

It is given to us that n is 2 and ratio in which petrol and kerosene are present after 2 iterations is 49:32. Let the quantity of petrol after 2 iterations be 49m and the quantity of kerosene be 32m

Example Successive Replacements

7 9
49 49:32 49 81

;10 2

;10

;10

7x = 9x 90 x = 45 litres Capacity of the vessel (x) = 45 litres Thus the capacity of the vessel is 45 litres