In an examination, 40% of the students who appeared were boys and the rest were girls. The pass percentage of the boys was 60% and the overall pass percentage was 56%. What was the pass percentage of the girls?

Let's assume the total number of students who appeared on the exam are 100.

boys appeared the exam = 40% of 100 = 40

girls appeared the exam = (100-40) = 60

boys who appeared and passed the exam = 60% of 40 = 24

overall students who appeared and passed the exam = 56% of 100 = 56

girls who appeared and passed the exam = 56-24 = 32

the pass percentage of the girls = $$\frac{32\ \times\ 100}{60}$$ = 53$$\frac{1}{3}$$

therefore answer is option D