A sum of money was divided among A, B and C. The amount received by A and C together is equal to the amount received by B alone. If A received 40% of the amount which B had received, find the ratio in which the amount was divided and the total amount.?

Option 5 : Ratio = 2 ∶ 5 ∶ 3, Cannot be determined

Amount received by A and C together = Amount received by B

⇒ A + C = B       ---- (I)

A got = 40% of B

⇒ A = 2/5 of B

⇒ A = 2/5 × B        ---- (II)

⇒ A ∶ B = 2 ∶ 5         ---- (III)

Putting value of A from (II) in (I)

⇒ 2/5 × B + C = B

⇒ C = 3/5 × B

⇒ B/C = 5/3

⇒ B ∶ C = 5 ∶ 3       ---- (IV)

From (III) and (V)

⇒ A ∶ B ∶ C = 2 ∶ 5 ∶ 3

But we cannot calculate the exact value of the total amount which was divided.

∴ The answer is A ∶ B ∶ C = 2 ∶ 5 ∶ 3 and the value of the total amount cannot be determined.