Consider the following table for total exports of goods of 5 companies over 5 years (in lakhs). If the ratio of exports to the imports of companies S and U in the year 2015 is 3 : 2 and 1 : 2, respectively, then, the total imports (in ₹ lakhs) of companies S and U together in the year 2015 is:

Correct — B. Read the 2015 row first, then turn each ratio the right way round.

From the table, 2015 exports: S = 51, U = 70 (₹ lakhs)

S has exports : imports = 3 : 2, so imports = 51 × 2⁄3 = 34
U has exports : imports = 1 : 2, so imports = 70 × 2⁄1 = 140

Total imports = 34 + 140 = 174 → option (b)

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  121 — 121 is 51 + 70, the exports of S and U added with neither ratio applied. The stem asks for imports, which the ratios still have to convert.
• (c)
  157 — 157 is 140 + 17, and 17 is 51 ÷ 3 — one step short. The ratio 3 : 2 makes S's imports two-thirds of its exports, not one-third.
• (d)
  187 — 187 would need S to import 47 or U to import 153, and neither ratio yields those. With 3 : 2 and 1 : 2 the two imports are pinned at 34 and 140.

A ratio question on a DI table has two independent halves: finding the right cell, then applying the ratio in the right direction.

exports : imports = 3 : 2 means imports = exports × 2⁄3. Whichever quantity you are solving for, its term goes on top.

For U the ratio is 1 : 2, so imports are double the exports. Same rule, opposite effect, and it is why U dominates the total.

The two ratios differ deliberately: one shrinks the figure and the other grows it, so applying a single direction to both lands you on a wrong option.

Key facts

• In 2015 the table gives exports of ₹51 lakh for company S and ₹70 lakh for company U.
• If exports : imports = 3 : 2, then imports = exports × 2⁄3.
• S imports ₹34 lakh and U imports ₹140 lakh, which total ₹174 lakh.

Common traps

• Adding the two export figures, 51 and 70, and answering 121
• Multiplying by 3⁄2 for S instead of 2⁄3, which inflates the import figure
• Picking the 2014 or 2016 row, since the years run 2012 to 2016 and 2015 is the fourth row down

No directly related past PYQ was found.