Shortcut Trick
Ratio of Income (R : S) = 5 : 9 (Difference = 4 units)
Ratio of Expenditure (R : S) = 1 : 3 (Difference = 2 units)
To equate savings, make differences equal: Multiply Expenditure ratio by 2 → 2 : 6
Difference in units (Income − Expenditure) = 5 − 2 = 3 units = ₹39,000
1 unit = ₹13,000 ∴ Rakesh income (5 units) = 5 × 13,000 = ₹65,000
∴ The correct answer is ₹65,000.
Alternate Method
Given: Ratio of incomes = 5 : 9 | Ratio of expenditures = 1 : 3 | Savings = ₹39,000 each.
Formula Used: Income − Savings = Expenditure
⇒ Let the incomes of Rakesh and Shivam be 5x and 9x respectively.
⇒ According to the question: (5x − 39000) / (9x − 39000) = 1 / 3
⇒ Cross-multiplying: 3(5x − 39000) = 1(9x − 39000)
⇒ 15x − 1,17,000 = 9x − 39,000
⇒ 15x − 9x = 1,17,000 − 39,000
⇒ 6x = 78,000
⇒ x = 13,000
⇒ Rakesh monthly income = 5x = 5 × 13,000 = ₹65,000
∴ The correct answer is ₹65,000.
Additional Information
Income, Expenditure, and Savings Relationship
The basic accounting identity used in such problems is Income = Expenditure + Savings.
Cross-Multiplication Method for Ratios
When the same amount is added/subtracted from both terms of a ratio, the unit difference method is the fastest way to find the initial values.
Ratio Balancing
To balance two ratios with a constant difference, multiply each ratio by the difference of the other ratio.