In an army selection process, the ratio of selected to unselected candidates was 9:2. If 80 less had applied and 20 less selected, the ratio of selected to unselected would have been 5:1. How many candidates had applied for the process?

Let $$11x$$ candidates applied for the process.

Candidates selected = $$9x$$ and candidates not selected = $$2x$$

If candidates applied = $$11x - 80$$

Candidates selected = $$9x - 20$$

=> Candidates not selected = $$(11x - 80) - (9x - 20) = 2x - 60$$

According to ques,

=> $$\frac{9x - 20}{2x - 60} = \frac{5}{1}$$

=> $$9x - 20 = 10x - 300$$

=> $$x = 300 - 20 = 280$$

$$\therefore$$ Number of candidates who applied for the process = $$11 \times 280 = 3080$$