A and B share a rented field. A utilizes 20 horses for 5 months, while B uses 30 cows for 4 months and 45 sheep for 5 months. If 2 horses are equivalent to 5 cows, and 3 cows are equal to 9 sheep. What portion of the rent is A pay ?
- AOption (a)
- BOption (b)
- COption (c)
- DOption (d)
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Correct answer
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Convert all animals into equivalent cows: 1 horse = 2.5 cows, and 3 sheep = 1 cow.
A's usage = (20 × 2.5) cows × 5 months = 250 cow-months.
B's usage = (30 cows × 4 months) + (45 ÷ 3) cows × 5 months = 120 + 75 = 195 cow-months.
Total equivalent usage = 250 + 195 = 445 cow-months.
A's rent portion = A's usage ÷ Total usage = 250 ÷ 445 = 50/89.
∴ The correct answer is 50/89.
Alternate Method
Given:
⇒ A uses 20 horses for 5 months.
⇒ B uses 30 cows for 4 months and 45 sheep for 5 months.
⇒ Conversion rates: 2 horses = 5 cows, and 3 cows = 9 sheep.
Formula Used:
⇒ Portion of Rent = (Individual Equivalent Usage) ÷ (Total Equivalent Usage)
Equivalent Cow-Months Usage
A: 250 units
B: 195 units Share: 250 / 445 = 50 / 89 Share: 195 / 445 = 39 / 89
Calculations:
⇒ Determine equivalent cow units for A:
⇒ 2 horses = 5 cows ⇒ 20 horses = (5 ÷ 2) × 20 = 50 cows.
⇒ A's total usage = 50 cows × 5 months = 250 cow-months.
⇒ Determine equivalent cow units for B:
⇒ 9 sheep = 3 cows ⇒ 45 sheep = (3 ÷ 9) × 45 = 15 cows.
⇒ B's usage from cows = 30 cows × 4 months = 120 cow-months.
⇒ B's usage from sheep = 15 cows × 5 months = 75 cow-months.
⇒ B's total usage = 120 + 75 = 195 cow-months.
⇒ Total usage by A and B = 250 + 195 = 445 cow-months.
⇒ A's portion = 250 ÷ 445.
⇒ Simplify the fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by 5:
⇒ 250 ÷ 5 = 50
⇒ 445 ÷ 5 = 89
⇒ A's Portion = 50/89
∴ The correct answer is 50/89.
Additional Information
Partnership in Renting
When individuals share a rented property or field, the rent must be divided proportionally based on both the amount of resources used and the time duration (Usage × Time).
Animal Equivalence
When multiple entity types are involved (horses, cows, sheep), convert all of them into a single common base unit before calculating the total usage to ensure a uniform scale.
Compound Ratio
The final ratio of share is a compound ratio formed by multiplying the equivalent units ratio and the time ratio for each individual.