Question:medium

Pinky is standing in a queue at a ticket counter. Suppose the ratio of the number of persons standing ahead of Pinky to the number of persons standing behind her in the queue is 3:5. If the total number of persons in the queue is less than 300, then the maximum possible number of persons standing ahead of Pinky is

Updated On: Jan 15, 2026
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Correct Answer: 111

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Define Variables for the Scenario

Let the number of individuals preceding Pinky be represented by \( 3x \). Let the number of individuals following Pinky be represented by \( 5x \), based on the given ratio of \( 3:5 \).

Step 2: Determine the Total Number of Individuals in the Queue

The total count of individuals in the queue is calculated as: \[ 3x + 1 + 5x = 8x + 1 \] It is stated that: \[ 8x + 1<300 \]

Step 3: Resolve the Inequality

Subtract 1 from both sides of the inequality: \[ 8x<299 \] Divide both sides by 8: \[ x<\frac{299}{8} = 37.375 \Rightarrow \text{The maximum integer value for } x \text{ is } 37 \]

Step 4: Compute the Number of Individuals Ahead of Pinky

With \( x = 37 \) substituted: \[ \text{Individuals ahead of Pinky} = 3x = 3 \times 37 = \boxed{111} \]

Final Result:

\[ \boxed{\text{Maximum individuals ahead of Pinky} = 111} \]

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