Quantitative Aptitude – Profit & Loss
Solve business scenario problems with cost, selling price, and margins quickly.
1. Definitions
- Cost Price (C.P.), Selling Price (S.P.), Profit = S.P. − C.P., Loss = C.P. − S.P.
- Profit% = (Profit/C.P.) × 100, Loss% = (Loss/C.P.) × 100.
2. Marked Price & Discount
S.P. = M.P. × (1 − Discount%). Use this to compute profit/loss after discount.
3. Quick Tips
- Use variables and solve algebraically for price questions.
- Convert discount or margin into decimal multiplier early.
- Link % profit to % increase: Eg: profit of 20% → S.P. = 1.2 × C.P.
4. Common Errors
- Mixing up percentage base (C.P. vs C.P + profit).
- Ignoring the effect of discount on margin.
5. Revision Checklist
- Practice conversion between profit, discount, and marked price.
- Be fluent in scenarios with multiple discounts or profit margins.
Summary: Write down cost and selling price relations first, convert percentages into multipliers, and verify by reversing the scenario (e.g., if loss, add back to find C.P.).