Reasoning : Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability

Q 180 / 325

UPSC CSE Prelims 2017

If second and fourth Saturdays and all the Sundays are taken as only holidays for an office, then what would be the minimum number of possible working days of any month of any year?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (B)

To ascertain the minimum number of possible working days in any month of any year, one must consider the shortest possible month, which is February in a non-leap year, comprising 28 days.

Under the given holiday conditions:

  • A 28-day month invariably contains 4 Sundays. Since all Sundays are designated holidays, this accounts for 4 holidays.
  • A 28-day month invariably contains 4 Saturdays. The second and fourth Saturdays are designated holidays, accounting for 2 holidays.

The total number of holidays in such a month is 4 (Sundays) + 2 (Saturdays) = 6 days.

Therefore, the minimum number of working days = Total days in month - Total holidays = 28 - 6 = 22 days.

Incorrect Options:

Options 23, 21, and 20 are incorrect as they do not represent the minimum possible working days under the specified holiday rules.

  • A month with 23 working days would imply only 5 holidays (28 - 23 = 5). This contradicts the minimum of 6 guaranteed holidays (4 Sundays + 2 Saturdays) in a 28-day month.
  • A month with 21 working days would imply 7 holidays (28 - 21 = 7). While some months might have more than 6 holidays (e.g., 5 Sundays or 5 Saturdays), the question asks for the minimum working days, which corresponds to the scenario with the fewest possible holidays. In a 28-day month, the maximum number of holidays under the given rules is 6.
  • A month with 20 working days would imply 8 holidays (28 - 20 = 8). This number of holidays is not attainable in a 28-day month under the specified holiday criteria (maximum 6 holidays).