The Counting Conundrum

By

KT Rajagopalan

The question:

My wife used to teach in a co-ed school in Patiala. She was the class teacher of Class X C. Harinder and Surinder were the Monitor and the Assistant Monitor, respectively, of the class.

On the first day, she asked Harinder: How many of you are girls?
Harinder replied: 5/14 of my classmates are girls.

She repeated the question to Surinder.

Surinder replied: 3/8 of my classmates are girls.

What are the genders of Harinder and Surinder?

(a) Data insufficient 

       
(b) Both are boys  

(c) Both are girls

(d) Harinder is a boy and Surinder a girl

(e) Harinder is a girl and Surinder a boy

Would you like a hint?

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