A fruit seller had some apples. He sells 40% of the apples and still has 420 apples. How many apples did he have at first?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → 700
After selling 40%, the apples still left are the other 60% of the stock.
Left \(=100\%-40\%=60\%\)
60% of the apples \(=420\), so the apples at first \(\displaystyle =\frac{420\times100}{60}=700\)
He had 700 apples at first.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) 588 — Incorrect. This is 420 increased by 40% (\(420\times1.4\)), which takes the 40% on the apples left instead of the stock at first.
Option (2) 600 — Incorrect. Selling 40% of 600 leaves 360, not 420.
Option (3) 672 — Incorrect. Selling 40% of 672 leaves 403.2, not 420.