Average, Mixture and Alligation Question 4 - CAT 2023
In a company, 20% of the employees work in the manufacturing department. If the total salary obtained by all the manufacturing employees is one-sixth of the total salary obtained by all the employees in the company, then the ratio of the average salary obtained by the manufacturing employees to the average salary obtained by the nonmanufacturing employees is:
Step-by-Step Explanation
Assume a convenient company structure to track values easily:
- Total number of employees = 100
- Total salary payout across the entire company = Rs. 600
- Manufacturing Department Metrics:
Employees = 20% of 100 = 20 workers.
Payout = 1 / 6 of total salary = 1 / 6 × 600 = Rs. 100.
Average Manufacturing Salary = 100 / 20 = 5
- Non-Manufacturing Department Metrics:
Employees = 100 − 20 = 80 workers.
Payout = 600 − 100 = Rs. 500.
Average Non-Manufacturing Salary = 500 / 80 = 25 / 4 = 6.25
- Calculate the Ratio:
Ratio = 5 : 25 / 4 = 20 : 25 = 4 : 5
Correct Option: B
💡 FundaMakers Tip:
When an exam question relies entirely on abstract ratios without specifying absolute currency values or headcounts, assign highly composite numbers (like 100 for people, 600 for total capital) that align with the given fractions. This converts abstract ratio manipulation into quick mental division.