Question

Observe the following table showing the yearly commission earned (figures in Rupees) by five salesmen and answer the question below.

Year	Salesman A	Salesman B	Salesman C	Salesman D	Salesman E
1990	27350	26850	26200	27850	28640
1991	28500	27900	27900	30040	29000
1992	25200	27400	28200	29800	28750
1993	29800	28000	29100	30060	30000
1994	24600	28500	29400	29800	29750
1995	27000	29000	30000	32000	29700

In the year 1993, the commission of B was approximately what per cent of the total commission earned by five salesmen that year?

• A. 30
• B. 20
• C. 40
• D. 80

Hint:

Add up all five salesmen's 1993 commissions for the total, then find B's share of that total as a percentage.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: List the 1993 commission figures.
From the commission table, the year 1993 shows: A = Rs. 29800, B = Rs. 28000, C = Rs. 29100, D = Rs. 30060, E = Rs. 30000.
Step 2: Estimate the total using rounded values first.
Rounding each figure to the nearest thousand gives roughly 30000 + 28000 + 29000 + 30000 + 30000 = 147000, close to the exact total, confirming the total commission for 1993 is about Rs. 147000, with the precise sum working out to Rs. 146960.
Step 3: Compare B's share to an equal fifth of the total.
One-fifth of Rs. 146960 is 146960 / 5 = 29392, the value each salesman would earn if the total were split equally, representing exactly 20 percent. B's actual commission, Rs. 28000, is slightly below this equal-share value of Rs. 29392, so B's percentage share must be slightly under 20 percent.
Step 4: Calculate the exact percentage.
28000 / 146960 x 100 = 19.05 percent, confirming the estimate from Step 3 that the share is just under 20 percent.
Step 5: Choose the nearest listed option.
Among 30, 20, 40 and 80 percent, only 20 percent is close to the computed 19.05 percent, so this is correct.
B's 1993 commission is approximately 20 percent of the five salesmen's total commission that year. \[\boxed{20\%}\]