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Question

Profit obtained on selling an article for Rs. 600 is equal to the loss incurred on selling the same article for Rs. 400. If selling price is Rs. 750, then what is the profit percentage?

The correct answer is

50 percent

Understanding the Problem of Profit and Loss

The question involves a scenario where the profit made by selling an article at one price is equal to the loss incurred by selling the same article at a different price. We need to use this information to find the original cost price of the article. Once we know the cost price, we can calculate the profit percentage when the article is sold at a new selling price.

Finding the Cost Price When Profit Equals Loss

Let the Cost Price of the article be \( \text{CP} \).

When the article is sold for Rs. 600, there is a profit.

Profit = Selling Price - Cost Price

Profit = \( 600 - \text{CP} \)

When the article is sold for Rs. 400, there is a loss.

Loss = Cost Price - Selling Price

Loss = \( \text{CP} - 400 \)

According to the problem, the profit obtained is equal to the loss incurred.

Profit = Loss

\( 600 - \text{CP} = \text{CP} - 400 \)

Calculating the Cost Price

We can solve the equation above to find the value of \( \text{CP} \).

\( 600 - \text{CP} = \text{CP} - 400 \)

Add \( \text{CP} \) to both sides:

\( 600 = \text{CP} + \text{CP} - 400 \)

\( 600 = 2\text{CP} - 400 \)

Add 400 to both sides:

\( 600 + 400 = 2\text{CP} \)

\( 1000 = 2\text{CP} \)

Divide both sides by 2:

\( \text{CP} = \frac{1000}{2} \)

\( \text{CP} = 500 \)

So, the Cost Price of the article is Rs. 500.

Calculating Profit Percentage for New Selling Price

Now, the article is sold for Rs. 750.

New Selling Price \( (\text{SP}_{\text{new}}) = 750 \)

Cost Price \( (\text{CP}) = 500 \)

Since the Selling Price (750) is greater than the Cost Price (500), there is a profit.

Profit = \( \text{SP}_{\text{new}} - \text{CP} \)

Profit = \( 750 - 500 \)

Profit = \( 250 \)

The profit percentage is calculated using the formula:

Profit Percentage \( = \left( \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{CP}} \right) \times 100 \)

Profit Percentage \( = \left( \frac{250}{500} \right) \times 100 \)

Profit Percentage \( = \left( \frac{1}{2} \right) \times 100 \)

Profit Percentage \( = 0.5 \times 100 \)

Profit Percentage \( = 50 \)

The profit percentage is 50 percent.

Summary of Calculations

Scenario Selling Price (Rs.) Cost Price (Rs.) Result (Profit/Loss) Calculation
1 600 500 Profit \(600 - 500 = 100\)
2 400 500 Loss \(500 - 400 = 100\)
New Scenario 750 500 Profit \(750 - 500 = 250\)

Calculation Value
Cost Price (CP) 500
Profit (New Scenario) 250
Profit Percentage \( \left( \frac{250}{500} \right) \times 100 = 50\% \)

Revision Table: Key Concepts in Profit and Loss

Concept Definition Formula
Cost Price (CP) The price at which an article is purchased. N/A
Selling Price (SP) The price at which an article is sold. N/A
Profit Occurs when SP > CP. Profit = SP - CP
Loss Occurs when CP > SP. Loss = CP - SP
Profit Percentage Profit calculated as a percentage of CP. \( \left( \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{CP}} \right) \times 100 \)
Loss Percentage Loss calculated as a percentage of CP. \( \left( \frac{\text{Loss}}{\text{CP}} \right) \times 100 \)

Additional Information: Solving Equal Profit and Loss Problems

In problems where the profit from one selling price equals the loss from another selling price for the same article, the Cost Price (CP) is always the average of the two selling prices.

Let the two selling prices be \( \text{SP}_1 \) (resulting in profit) and \( \text{SP}_2 \) (resulting in loss), such that Profit = Loss.

\( \text{SP}_1 - \text{CP} = \text{CP} - \text{SP}_2 \)

\( \text{SP}_1 + \text{SP}_2 = 2\text{CP} \)

\( \text{CP} = \frac{\text{SP}_1 + \text{SP}_2}{2} \)

In this specific problem, \( \text{SP}_1 = 600 \) and \( \text{SP}_2 = 400 \).

\( \text{CP} = \frac{600 + 400}{2} = \frac{1000}{2} = 500 \)

This confirms our calculated Cost Price using the average method, making the calculation quicker for similar problems.

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Important Questions from Profit and Loss

  1. Ram bought a chair at 35% discount on its market price, Had Ram got no discount, he would have had to pay ₹245 more. How much did Ram pay for the chair? 

  2. A shopkeeper bought an item for Rs. 4,500 and sold it at a loss of 5%. From this money, he bought another item and sold it at a profit of 10%. What is his overall profit?

  3. A man sells two articles at Rs. 9,180 each. He gains 8% on one article and loses 15% on the other. His overall profit or loss is:

  4. A shopkeeper selling an article for ₹46 loses 8%. In order to gain 6%, what should be the selling price of the article?

  5. Rahul purchased 80 items from the market. 25% items of the total items were defective and the remaining items were sold at 50% profit. What will be the overall profit percentage?

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