Aim of compounding in steam engines: identify the principal objective(s). Compounding splits the total expansion across multiple cylinders (HP→IP→LP) to improve performance. Choose the best statement describing the aim.

Concept
The primary aim of compounding is to reduce the temperature range within any single cylinder by spreading expansion across stages. This limits cylinder condensation and improves efficiency.

About the other statements

• Sharing the overall expansion does lessen the per-cylinder expansion ratio (Option A), but the core aim is thermal (condensation control).
• Reduction in stroke length (Option B) is not a fundamental aim; it is design-dependent and not guaranteed.

Final Answer
To reduce the temperature range in each cylinder and thus reduce condensation