Problem with fractions part and whole > A businessman instituted an annual award in a city school, with a part of the award given to the school itself to improve its facilities. > > It was stated that if a student from a wealthy family were to top the annual examination, the school would receive twice the amount awarded to the student. > > On the other hand, if a student from a poor family were to top the annual examination, the student would be awarded twice the amount that the school would receive. > > In one year, two students, one rich and one poor, jointly topped the annual examination. What fraction of the award money did the school receive in this case? > > (A) $1/2$ > > (B) $1/3$ > > (C) $2/7$ > > (D) $2/9$ I'm having a difficulty in dividing the total amount in different parts.In my attempt I ended up with multiple variables but lesser equations. A help would be appreciated.

The rules of the award if two students are joint top in the exam are not made clear. $\frac{2}{7}$ fits one interpretation of the rules.

But an alternative interpretation would be that the school receives twice as much as the wealthy student **plus** half as much as the poor student. In this case the schools receives $\frac{1}{2}$ of the award, the poor student receives $\frac{1}{3}$ of the award and the wealthy student receives $\frac{1}{6}$ of the award.

So the question is ambiguous.