Question

If both Balu and Paul get equal income, what is the ratio of their expenditures on Food and clothing?

• A. 1 : 1
• B. 1 : 2
• C. 3 : 1
• D. 16 : 11

Hint:

Since incomes are equal, add each person's percentage for Food, and separately for Clothing, before forming the ratio.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Note that equal income lets percentages be added directly.
Let both incomes be Rs. X, so each person's percentage figures are shares of the same base amount.

Step 2: Add the Food percentages of both people.
Paul's Food share is 18% and Balu's Food share is 14%, giving 18 plus 14 equals 32% of X.

Step 3: Add the Clothing percentages of both people.
Paul's Clothing share is 7% and Balu's Clothing share is 15%, giving 7 plus 15 equals 22% of X.

Step 4: Form and simplify the ratio.
The ratio of combined Food to combined Clothing is 32 to 22.
Dividing both terms by their common factor 2 gives 16 to 11.

Final Answer:
The ratio of their expenditures on Food and Clothing is 16 : 11. \[ \boxed{16:11} \]