Explanation:

- Company A:

- Total Employees: 720

- Male to Female Ratio: 5:3

- Males: \( \frac{5}{8} \times 720 = 450 \)

- Females: \( \frac{3}{8} \times 720 = 270 \)

- Company B:

- Total Employees: 690

- Male to Female Ratio: 13:10

- Males: \( \frac{13}{23} \times 690 = 390 \)

- Company C:

- Total Employees: 740

- Male to Female Ratio: 16:21

- Females: \( \frac{21}{37} \times 740 = 420 \)

- Calculations for the ratio:

- Males in A and B together: \( 450 + 390 = 840 \)

- Females in A and C together: \( 270 + 420 = 690 \)

- Ratio of Males in A and B to Females in A and C: 840:690 simplifies to 28:23

- Options Analysis:

- Option 1: 25:21

- Option 2: 15:24

- Option 3: 23:34

- Option 4: 18:25

- Option 5: 28:23