Question

In an examination, 70% of the candidates passed in English, 80% passed in Mathematics and 10% failed in both these subjects. If 144 candidates passed in both, then the total number of candidates was 

(a) 125 

(b) 200 

(c) 240 

(d) 375

Answer 1

(c) 240

Let the total number of candidates be x. 

Given, 70% of x passed in English 

80% of x passed in Maths 

144 passed in English and Maths both 

10% of x failed in English and Maths both

\(\therefore\) 90% of x passed in English and Maths both.

\(\therefore\) 90% of x = 70% x + 80% of x – 144

\(\Rightarrow\) 60% of 144

\(\Rightarrow\) x = \(\frac{144\times100}{60}\) = 240.