The Setup:
We are tackling a system of linear equations disguised as a set theory and word problem. It’s all about mapping out the states (Passed, Failed, Did Not Appear) for two separate exams. We just need to define our variables, translate the English into algebra, and solve the system without getting lost in the sauce.
Step 1: Defining the Variables (The Roster)
Let's define the base variables using the Math exam stats to keep it clean.
Let = Students who did not appear for Math.
Let = Students who appeared but failed Math.
Let = Students who appeared but failed English (our target variable).
Now we translate the constraints for the English exam and the rest of the Math exam based on the prompt:
* "Did not appear for English is twice did not appear for Math"
* "Passed Math is twice appeared but failed English"
* "Passed English is twice appeared but failed Math"
Step 2: Building the State Equations
For both exams, the total class size is strictly locked at 120.
Total = (Passed) + (Failed) + (Did Not Appear)
Math Exam Equation:
English Exam Equation:
Step 3: Solving the System (Speedrun Strat)
We have a 2-equation system and need to isolate . Let's use the elimination method.
Take the Math equation and multiply the entire thing by 2 to align the and coefficients:
Now, subtract the English equation from this scaled-up Math equation:
The and terms completely cancel each other out, leaving us with a clean isolation:
Step 4: The Audit (Double Check Protocol)
Let's run the numbers back to guarantee the logic holds.
If , we plug it into the Math equation:
If we plug it into the English equation:
The system is completely consistent. Because in both cases, the exact distribution of and doesn't even matter (e.g., it could be , or ). The value for is strictly locked at 40 no matter what. No cap, the solution is mathematically bulletproof.
Final Answer: 40