Let the initial salaries of Sita, Gita, and Mita be:
They receive hikes as follows:
Now, Sita and Mita get another hike:
Let Gita's new salary after this round of hike be \( g \).
We are told that the new average salary of all three = average of updated salaries =
\[ \frac{8.4p + g + 10.5p}{3} = g \]
Multiply both sides by 3:
\[ 8.4p + g + 10.5p = 3g \] \[ 18.9p + g = 3g \Rightarrow 2g = 18.9p \Rightarrow g = \frac{18.9p}{2} = 9.45p \]
So, Gita’s new salary is \( 9.45p \).
Gita’s old salary after first hike was \( 7.5p \). Now it is \( 9.45p \).
Hence, the percentage increase in Gita’s salary is:
\[ \frac{9.45p - 7.5p}{7.5p} \times 100 = \frac{1.95p}{7.5p} \times 100 = 26\% \]
Final Answer: 26% (Option C)
For any natural number $k$, let $a_k = 3^k$. The smallest natural number $m$ for which \[ (a_1)^1 \times (a_2)^2 \times \dots \times (a_{20})^{20} \;<\; a_{21} \times a_{22} \times \dots \times a_{20+m} \] is: