If 50 less had applied and 25 less selected, the ratio of selected to unselected would have been 9 : 4. So how many candidates had applied if the ratio of selected to unselected was 2 : 1.

375

              Select        :          Unselect      :          Total (applied)

                  2          :           1             :              3

(ATQ)        -25                                                - 50

           -----------                                      ----------------

                  9         :           4                             13

Therefor 

         ⇒ \(\frac{3R - 50}{2R - 25}\) = \(\frac{13}{9}\)

         ⇒ 27 R -450 = 26 R - 325

         ⇒ 1 R = 125

         ⇒ Total (applied) ⇒ 3 R = 125 × 3 = 375