A and B are partners sharing profits in the old ratio of 5:3. At the admission of a new partner C, the General Reserve of ₹96,000 was mistakenly distributed among A, B and C in the new ratio of 2:3:1. How much less did A receive compared with the amount A should have received under the old ratio?

Correct answer: ₹28,000 less

The General Reserve represents profits earned before C’s admission, so it should be distributed only among the old partners in their old ratio of 5:3. A’s correct share = ₹96,000 × 5/8 = ₹60,000. Due to the error, A received ₹96,000 × 2/6 = ₹32,000 under the new ratio 2:3:1. Therefore, A received ₹60,000 − ₹32,000 = ₹28,000 less. Exam tip: Reserves and accumulated profits earned before admission are distributed among the old partners in their old profit-sharing ratio.