Fixing the fruity enigma

By

KT Rajagopal

The question:

Priya and Samir are throwing a big party for their wedding anniversary. They are expecting a huge turnout of guests – relatives, colleagues and friends.

Priya loves to cook. So she takes a day’s leave. Planning to make fruit salad for dessert, she asks Samir to bring mangoes, apples and pears while returning from office.

Samir calls in at 4 pm to say that he had bought 5 apples, 12 mangoes and 19 pears for Rs 275 during the lunch recess. However, he was likely to get stuck in the office for a meeting and therefore could not reach them home in time for her to make the dessert.

Priya rushed out to the nearby shop and bought 23 apples, 15 pears and 19 mangoes for Rs 360.

Mext morning, Priya and Samir discover that the prices were the same in both the shops.  How much would be the total cost of one apple, one mango and one pear?

(a) Data inadequate         (b) 20           (c) 30           (d) 35           (e) either 20 or 30  

Are you finding this a tough nut to crack. Admittedly, not all fruits are easy meat. Perhaps a hint might be of help.

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