Maths question from Social Forest Worker exam, 2026 by JKSSB
A high-end jeweller manufactures gold bars where the price of a bar is directly proportional to the square of its weight. During transit, a bar of weight 5 units and worth Rs. 25,000 accidentally breaks into two pieces with weights in the ratio 2:3. What is the total reduction in the value of the gold due to this breakage?
Last updated Jul 21, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option B —
Rs. 12,000
Here is the step-by-step solution without using math symbols:
1. Determine the Value Per Weight Unit
The price of a gold bar is proportional to the square of its weight.
For the original bar of weight 5 units, the square of its weight is 25.
Given that 25 squared units of weight equal 25,000 rupees, each squared unit of weight is worth 1,000 rupees (25,000 divided by 25).
2. Calculate the Value of the Broken Pieces
The bar breaks into two pieces with weights of 2 units and 3 units.
For the first piece of weight 2 units:
Squaring the weight gives 4.
Multiplying 4 by 1,000 rupees per unit gives a value of 4,000 rupees.
For the second piece of weight 3 units:
Squaring the weight gives 9.
Multiplying 9 by 1,000 rupees per unit gives a value of 9,000 rupees.
The total value of both pieces combined is 13,000 rupees (4,000 plus 9,000).
3. Calculate the Reduction in Value
Subtracting the combined broken value of 13,000 rupees from the original value of 25,000 rupees gives a total loss of 12,000 rupees.
Conclusion
Correct Answer: B) Rs. 12,000
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
