A fruit shop consists of only two types of fruits namely oranges and mangoes. The number of oranges is three times the number of mangoes. Which of the following numbers CANNOT represent the total number of fruits in the shop?

Given fruit shop consists of two types of fruits i.e., Oranges and Mangoes

The number of oranges is three times the number of mangoes :

⇒ oranges = 3 × mangoes

⇒ oranges/mangoes = 3/1

Total ration of oranges and mangoes = 3 + 1 = 4

Total number of fruits = oranges + mangoes

Total number of fruits = 3 × mangoes + mangoes

Total number of fruits = 4 × mangoes

1) Consider total number of fruits = 44

⇒ 44 = 4 × mangoes

⇒ mangoes = 11

⇒ oranges = 3 × mangoes = 3 × 11 = 33

2) Consider total number of fruits = 42

⇒ 42 = 4 × mangoes

42 is not divisible by 4 so, 42 cannot the total number of fruits in the shop.

3) Consider total number of fruits = 48

⇒ 48 = 4 × mangoes

⇒ mangoes = 12

⇒ oranges = 3 × mangoes = 3 × 12 = 36

4) Consider total number of fruits = 40

⇒ 40 = 4 × mangoes

⇒ mangoes = 10

⇒ oranges = 3 × mangoes = 3 × 10 = 30

∴ Here, 'Total number of fruits in shop cannot be 42'.

Hence, the correct answer is "42".