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Three categories of candidates appear for an admission test: diligent (10%), lazy (30%) and confused (60%). A diligent candidate is 10 times more likely to clear the admission test compared to a lazy candidate.
If 40% of the candidates clearing the admission test are confused, what is the MAXIMUM possible value of the probability of a confused candidate clearing the test?
Let us assume that the total number of candidates who appeared for the admission test$$=100k$$
So, as per the data, the number of diligent candidates$$=10k$$
The number of lazy candidates$$=30k$$
and, the number of lazy candidates$$=60k$$
Now, let us assume that the probability of a lazy candidate to clear the test $$=p$$
$$\therefore$$ The probability of a lazy candidate to clear the test $$=10p$$
Let us also assume that the probability of a confused candidate to pass the exam $$=q$$
Now, we know that
Probability of a deligent candidate passing the test,$$10p=\dfrac{\text{No of deligent candidates who passed}}{\text{total deligent candidates who appeared}}$$
or, $$p=\dfrac{\text{No of deligent candidates who passed}}{10k}$$
or, number of the diligent candidates who passed the test $$=10k*10p=100kp$$
Similarly, the number of lazy candidates who passed the test $$=30k*p=30kp$$
and, the number of confused candidates who passed the test $$=60k*q=60kq$$
Now, we are told that 40% of the candidates who clear the admission test are confused.
$$\therefore \dfrac{60kq}{100kp+30kp+60kq}=\dfrac{40}{100}$$
On simplifying this equation, we get:
$$q=\dfrac{13p}{9}$$
Now, in order to maximise $$q$$, we need to maximise $$p$$.
Now we know that the probability of a diligent candidate passing the test, $$10p\leq1$$
or, $$p\leq\dfrac{1}{10}$$
So the maximum value of $$p=\dfrac{1}{10}$$
Now, calculating the maximum value of $$q$$.
Hence, the MAXIMUM possible value of the probability of a confused candidate clearing the test, $$q=\dfrac{13}{90}$$
Hence, option B is correct.
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