The combined cost of 21 pencils and 9 clippers is ₹ 819 (uniform pricing per item). What is the cost of 7 pencils and 3 clippers together?
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A₹ 204
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B₹ 409
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C₹ 273
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D₹ 208
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E₹ 300
Answer
Correct Answer: ₹ 273
Explanation
Introduction: When pricing is linear and uniform per item, any proportional subset of a given combination costs the same proportion of the total. Here, (7 pencils + 3 clippers) is exactly one-third of (21 pencils + 9 clippers).
Given Data / Assumptions:
- 21 pencils + 9 clippers cost ₹ 819 in total.
- Uniform price per pencil and per clipper (no bulk discounts).
- We need cost of 7 pencils + 3 clippers.
Concept / Approach: Note that (7, 3) is exactly one-third of (21, 9). Therefore, cost scales by 1/3.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Total combo (21, 9) → ₹ 819.Desired combo (7, 3) = (1/3) * (21, 9).Cost = (1/3) * 819 = ₹ 273.Verification / Alternative check: Let pencil = p, clipper = c. Then 21p + 9c = 819. Divide by 3: 7p + 3c = 273. Same result.
Why Other Options Are Wrong: Other figures do not maintain the linear proportionality to the original combination cost.
Common Pitfalls: Attempting to find individual prices unnecessarily; proportional reasoning suffices.
Final Answer: ₹ 273