Math Problem Statement

In a class of 180 students, each student took three tests: Science, History, and Geography. The number of students who passed in the three tests were 90, 120, and 100 respectively. If none of the students failed in all three subjects and the number of students who passed in at least one subject was atmost 50% more than those who passed in at least two subjects, then maximum how man students assed in all three subjects?

Solution

To solve this, let's use the principle of inclusion-exclusion and denote the following variables:

  • Let:
    • SS: Students who passed Science.
    • HH: Students who passed History.
    • GG: Students who passed Geography.
  • We know:
    • S=90|S| = 90
    • H=120|H| = 120
    • G=100|G| = 100

Given that none of the students failed in all subjects, we have:

  1. The total number of students, SHG|S \cup H \cup G|, is 180.
  2. The number of students who passed at least one subject is at most 50% more than those who passed in at least two subjects.

Let’s set up our problem with variables and calculate:

  • Let xx be the number of students who passed all three subjects, SHG|S \cap H \cap G|.
  • Let SH=a|S \cap H| = a, SG=b|S \cap G| = b, and HG=c|H \cap G| = c.

Step 1: Inclusion-Exclusion Principle

Using the inclusion-exclusion principle:

SHG=S+H+G(SH+SG+HG)+SHG|S \cup H \cup G| = |S| + |H| + |G| - (|S \cap H| + |S \cap G| + |H \cap G|) + |S \cap H \cap G|

Substitute known values:

180=90+120+100(a+b+c)+x180 = 90 + 120 + 100 - (a + b + c) + x

Simplifying:

180=310(a+b+c)+x180 = 310 - (a + b + c) + x

a+b+cx=130a + b + c - x = 130

Step 2: Condition on Students Passing at Least Two Subjects

The number of students who passed at least two subjects is given by (a+b+c3x)(a + b + c - 3x).

We are told that the number of students who passed at least one subject is at most 50% more than the number who passed at least two subjects. Therefore:

SHG1.5×(a+b+c3x)|S \cup H \cup G| \leq 1.5 \times (a + b + c - 3x)

Substituting SHG=180|S \cup H \cup G| = 180:

1801.5×(a+b+c3x)180 \leq 1.5 \times (a + b + c - 3x)

Now, we will solve this system of equations to determine the maximum value of xx.

Continuing from above, let's refine our approach for maximizing xx, the number of students who passed all three subjects.

We have:

  1. From the inclusion-exclusion principle: a+b+cx=130a + b + c - x = 130

  2. Condition on students passing at least two subjects: 1801.5×(a+b+c3x)180 \leq 1.5 \times (a + b + c - 3x)

Step 3: Substitute a+b+ca + b + c

From the first equation, we can express a+b+ca + b + c in terms of xx: a+b+c=130+xa + b + c = 130 + x

Substitute this into the inequality from the condition on students passing at least two subjects: 1801.5×(130+x3x)180 \leq 1.5 \times (130 + x - 3x)

Simplify the inequality: 1801.5×(1302x)180 \leq 1.5 \times (130 - 2x)

1801953x180 \leq 195 - 3x

Rearrange to isolate xx: 3x153x \leq 15

x5x \leq 5

Conclusion

The maximum number of students who passed all three subjects is therefore 5\boxed{5}.


Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How does the inclusion-exclusion principle work in set theory?
  2. How can we apply this method to similar problems with different numbers of sets?
  3. What if some students could have failed all three subjects? How would that change the approach?
  4. How would changing the "50% more" condition impact the answer?
  5. Can we derive a formula for problems involving more than three subjects?

Tip: For problems with conditions involving multiple overlapping groups, the inclusion-exclusion principle is a powerful tool for managing over-counting.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Set Theory
Inclusion-Exclusion Principle
Algebra

Formulas

Inclusion-Exclusion Principle formula: |S ∪ H ∪ G| = |S| + |H| + |G| - (|S ∩ H| + |S ∩ G| + |H ∩ G|) + |S ∩ H ∩ G|

Theorems

Inclusion-Exclusion Principle

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12