Question:medium

In an exam, the ratio of boys to girls is 3:2. If 20% of the boys and 30% of the girls fail, what is the overall percentage of students who fail?

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Use a common base (like 100) when solving ratio-based percentage questions for accuracy and simplicity.
Updated On: Apr 2, 2026
  • 24%
  • 25%
  • 26%
  • 27%
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To determine the overall student failure rate, we must consider the failure percentages for boys and girls individually, along with their respective proportions within the class.

1. Conceptual Clarification:

- Ratio: Indicates a proportional relationship. A 3:2 ratio signifies that for every 3 boys, there are 2 girls.
- Percentage: Expresses a fraction of 100.
- Weighted Average: Given differing counts of boys and girls, a weighted average is necessary to calculate the overall failure rate.

2. Provided Data:

Ratio of boys to girls = 3 : 2
This implies the class is divided into 5 equal parts (3 parts boys + 2 parts girls).
Assuming a total of 100 students for computational ease:
Number of Boys = 60 (calculated as 3/5 of 100)
Number of Girls = 40 (calculated as 2/5 of 100)
Number of Failing Boys = 20% of 60 = 12
Number of Failing Girls = 30% of 40 = 12

3. Calculation of Overall Failure Percentage:

Total number of failing students = 12 (boys) + 12 (girls) = 24
Total number of students = 100

\[ \text{Overall Failure Percentage} = \frac{24}{100} \times 100 = 24\% \]

Conclusion:

The aggregate percentage of students failing is 24%.

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