Maths : Basic Numeracy

Q 244 / 370

UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

The ratio of a two-digit natural number to a number formed by reversing its digits is 4: 7. The number of such pairs is

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (B)

Let the two-digit natural number be represented as 10x + y, where x is the tens digit and y is the units digit. For a two-digit number, x must be an integer from 1 to 9, and y must be an integer from 0 to 9.

The number formed by reversing its digits is 10y + x.

According to the given information, the ratio of the original number to the reversed number is 4:7:

10x+y10y+x=47

Cross-multiplying the equation yields:

7(10x+y)=4(10y+x)

70x+7y=40y+4x

Rearranging the terms to isolate x and y:

70x−4x=40y−7y

66x=33y

Dividing both sides by 33 gives the relationship between x and y:

x=3366y

x=12y

Since x and y are digits, and x must be a non-zero integer (1-9), y must be an even integer from 2 to 8 to ensure x is an integer and within the valid range (1-4).

The possible pairs (x, y) that satisfy this condition are:

  • If y = 2, then x = (1/2) * 2 = 1. The number is 12.
  • If y = 4, then x = (1/2) * 4 = 2. The number is 24.
  • If y = 6, then x = (1/2) * 6 = 3. The number is 36.
  • If y = 8, then x = (1/2) * 8 = 4. The number is 48.

There are exactly four such pairs of two-digit numbers that satisfy the given condition.

Incorrect Options:

Options A (5), C (3), and D (2) are incorrect because the mathematical derivation and subsequent enumeration of valid digit pairs demonstrate that there are precisely four such numbers, not five, three, or two.