At a certain rate of simple interest, a certain sum doubles itself in 10…

2025

At a certain rate of simple interest, a certain sum doubles itself in 10 years. In how many years will it become triple?

  1. A.

    30

  2. B.

    40

  3. C.

    15

  4. D.

    None of these

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Concept: In Simple Interest, the interest earned is directly proportional to time (for a fixed principal and rate). So if a sum takes T₁ years to earn its own value as interest (i.e., double itself), the same sum will take twice that time to earn twice that interest (i.e., triple itself).

Application: Let the principal be P and rate be R% per annum.

  1. The sum doubles in 10 years, so the interest earned in 10 years equals the principal: SI = P.

  2. Using SI = (P × R × T)/100: P = (P × R × 10)/100, which gives R = 10% per annum.

  3. To triple the sum, the interest required is 2P (since the sum becomes 3P, i.e., 2P more than the principal).

  4. Using the same formula: 2P = (P × 10 × T)/100, so T = (2 × 100)/10 = 20 years.

Cross-check: At 10% simple interest, in 20 years the interest = (P × 10 × 20)/100 = 2P, so the amount = P + 2P = 3P — confirming the sum triples in 20 years.

Since 20 years is not among the numeric options offered (30, 40, 15), the correct choice is "None of these."

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