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UPSC CSE CSAT 2026 · Paper II (CSAT) · Question 8 · Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, averages, time & work

X के भार को, kg में, X द्वारा दर्शाया जाता है। A, B, C, D, P, Q, R और S के भार मापे जाते हैं। दिया…

UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Question 8 — Arithmetic: percentage, ratio, averages, time & work.

X के भार को, kg में, X द्वारा दर्शाया जाता है। A, B, C, D, P, Q, R और S के भार मापे जाते हैं। दिया गया है :

A + B + C + D = 17

A + C = 6

P + Q + S + D = 15

P + Q + R + B = 17

P = R और Q = S

निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही है?

Read this question in English

The weight of X, in kg, is denoted by X. The weights of A, B, C, D, P, Q, R and S are measured. Given:

A + B + C + D = 17

A + C = 6

P + Q + S + D = 15

P + Q + R + B = 17

P = R and Q = S

Which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) B and D together weigh less than the total weight of P and Q. · (b) P and Q together weigh more than the total weight of A and C. · (c) P weighs more than Q. · (d) Q weighs more than P.

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (b) P और Q का सम्मिलित भार, A और C के कुल भार से अधिक है।

Adding the last two equations after substituting R = P and S = Q gives 3(P + Q) + B + D = 32, and B + D = 11 from the first two. So P + Q = 7, which is more than A + C = 6.

  1. From A + B + C + D = 17 and A + C = 6: B + D = 11.
  2. Put S = Q: P + 2Q + D = 15. Put R = P: 2P + Q + B = 17.
  3. Add them: 3P + 3Q + B + D = 32, so 3(P + Q) = 32 − 11 = 21 and P + Q = 7.
  4. (a) B + D = 11 is not less than 7 — false. (b) P + Q = 7 > A + C = 6 — true.
  5. P and Q individually are not fixed (for example P = 3, Q = 4 or P = 4, Q = 3 with suitable B, D), so (c) and (d) cannot be asserted.
  • ✗ (a) B + D = 11 is more than P + Q = 7.
  • ✓ (b) P + Q = 7 exceeds A + C = 6.
  • ✗ (c) Only P + Q = 7 is fixed; P can be larger or smaller than Q.
  • ✗ (d) Same reason: the data do not fix which of P and Q is heavier.

Remember · When single values can't be found, add the equations to get the combined quantity the options ask about.

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper II (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

Cite this question: UPSC CSE CSAT 2026, Q8 — minimalistias.com/pyqs/csat/2026/q8

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