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Profit and Loss Percentage

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What is a Profit and loss Percentage?

Profit and Loss percentages are used to show the amount of profit and loss incurred in terms of percentage, which can be a percentage of profit or percentage of loss. Also, as we all know, that percentage is one of those methods which are used for comparison of two qualities. In our day-to-day life, we come across a lot of situations where we calculate or compare anything in "per-cent." Here are some common examples: let relate the percentage of your results; everyone compares your results with your classmates or your partners.


Profit and Loss Percentage Example

Another most common example is related to buying and selling of goods. To calculate profit or loss on an item, one has to calculate it in percentage.


So, here in this article, we are going to discuss the concepts and importance of percentage in profit and loss.


To learn the concept of profit and loss percentage, we need to memorize terminologies for sales and purchase of goods.


Cost Price (CP): The price at which the item is purchased by us is known as the cost price. It is given by CP. 


Selling Price (SP): The price at which the item/good can be sold is known as the selling price. It is denoted or given by SP. 


Note: The profit or loss of a product during the sales and purchase of an item depends completely on cost price and selling price. 


Profit Percentage 

If the cost price of an item is less than the selling price, this is the only condition for profit on the item.  

               SP > CP 

Net Profit 

The net profit can be calculated as the difference between the selling price and cost price. 

             Net Profit = SP - CP


Profit Percentage Formula 

Profit % =\[\frac{SP-CP}{CP} \times 100 = \frac{Net Profit}{CP} \times 100\]


Loss Percentage 

If the cost price of the item is more than the selling price of the item, then the item is said to be sold at a loss. 

             SP < CP 


Net Loss 

Net Loss can be calculated as the difference between the cost price and selling price. 

             Net Loss=CP−SP


Loss Percentage Formula 

The amount of loss is sometimes expressed as a percentage after it has been computed in some cases. It is a percentage that is used to express the amount of loss that has been incurred in a business transaction. When comparing two quantities, this is extremely useful. The formula for calculating loss percentages are as follows: 


Loss % = \[\frac{CP-SP}{CP}\]x100 = \[\frac{Net Loss}{CP}\]x 100 

  

Note- It is strictly noted that the Profit Loss percentage is calculated on the Cost Price of the item, until and unless it is mentioned to calculate the percentage on Selling Price. 


Solved Examples

Question 1.   Find whether the following transactions are in profit or loss. Also, find the profit loss percent for each case. 

(i)   A General knowledge book was bought for Rs 250 and sold for Rs 325 

(ii)  Ranveer bought a motorcycle for Rs 12,000 and sold the same for Rs 13,500 

(iii)   A cupboard bought for Rs 2,500 and sold at Rs 3,000 

(iv)  A skirt bought for Rs 250 and sold at Rs 150 

Solution:

(i) C.P = RS 250 

     S.P = Rs 325 

     Here, S.P > C.P 

     So,  

     Profit = S.P - C.P 

                = 325 - 250 

                = Rs 75 

     Profit Percentage =\[\frac{{{\text{Profit}}}}{{C.P.}} \times 100\% \]

                                     = \[\frac{{75}}{{250}} \times 100\% \]

                                     = \[\frac{{75}}{{25}} \times 10\% \]

                                     = \[\frac{{15}}{5} \times 10\% \]

                                     = 3 \[ \times \] 10%

                                     = 30%

 

     (ii) C.P = Rs 12,000 

           S.P = Rs 13,500 

           Here S.P > C.P 

           So, 

           Profit = S.P - C.P 

                       = Rs 13,500 - 12,000 

                       = Rs 1,500  

           Profit Percentage = \[\frac{{{\text{Profit}}}}{{C.P.}} \times 100\% \]

                                           = \[\frac{{1,500}}{{12,000}} \times 100\% \]

                                           = 15/120 \[ \times \] 100%

                                           = 15/12 \[ \times \]10%

                                           = 5/4 \[ \times \] 10%

                                           = 5/2 \[ \times \] 5%

                                           = 25/2%

                                           = 12.5%

  

     (iii) C.P = Rs 2,500 

            S.P = Rs 3,000 

            Here S.P > C.P 

            So, 

            Profit = S.P - C.P 

                       = Rs 3,000 - 2,500 

                       = Rs 500 

            Profit Percentage = \[\frac{{{\text{Profit}}}}{{C.P.}} \times 100\% \]

                                            = \[\frac{{500}}{{2,500}} \times \]100%

                                            = 5/25 \[ \times \] 10%

                                            = 1/5 \[ \times \]10%

                                            = 20%

 

     (iv) C.P = Rs 250 

            S.P = Rs 150 

            Here C.P > S.P 

            So, 

            Profit = C.P - S.P 

                       = Rs 250 - 150 

                       = Rs 100 

            Loss Percentage =\[\frac{{{\text{Loss}}}}{{C.P.}} \times 100\% \]

                                          =\[\frac{{100}}{{250}} \times \] 100%

                                          = 10/25 \[ \times \] 10%

                                          = 2/5 \[ \times \]10%

                                          = 2 \[ \times \] 20%

                                          = 40%

                              

Question 2: Juhi sells a washing machine for Rs 13,500. She loses 20% in the bargain. At what price Juhi bought the washing machine? 

Solution: 

S.P = Rs 13,500 

C.P =? 

Loss Percentage = 20% 

Now, 

 Loss = C.P - S.P 

C.P =S. P + Loss 

C.P = 13,500 + Loss           ….(i) 

  

Loss Percentage = \[\frac{Loss}{CP} \times 100\]%

\[20 = \frac{Loss}{13,500+Loss} \times 100 %\]

\[\frac{20 %}{100 %} = \frac{Loss}{13,500+Loss}\]

\[\frac{20 }{100 } = \frac{Loss}{13,500+Loss}\]

\[\frac{2}{100} = \frac{Loss}{13,500+Loss}\]     

\[\frac{1}{5} = \frac{Loss}{13,500+Loss}\]                                          


Cross Multiplying

                1 \[ \times \] (13,500 + Loss) = 5\[ \times \] Loss

                13,500 + Loss = 5 Loss

                5 Loss = 13500 + Loss

                5 Loss - Loss = 13500

                4 Loss = 13500

                Loss  = \[\frac{{13,500}}{4}\]

                Loss =  Rs 3,375

From (i)

      C.P = 13500 + 3375

             = Rs 16875 

So, she bought it at Rs 16,875                             

                              

Question 3. 2. Ron purchased a table for Rs 1260, and due to some scratches on the top of the table, Ron has to sell it for Rs 1197. Find the loss percent.  

Solution:  

CP =  Rs.1260  

SP = Rs 1197.  

Since,  

      (SP) < (CP), Ron makes a loss.  

      Loss = Rs (1260 - 1197)  

               = Rs 63.  

      Loss Percentage =  \[\frac{Loss}{C.P}\]x100%

                                    = \[\frac{63}{1260}\] ×100  

                                    = 5% 

  

Question 4.  A man purchases a fan for Rs. 1000 and then sells it at a loss of 15% on the sale of the fan. In what range does the fan's selling price fall?

Solution: The cost of the fan is Rs. 1000, which is the solution.

The percentage of losses is 15 percent.

As we all know, loss percentage  = (Loss/Cost Price) x 100

15 = (Loss/1000) x 100.

As a result, Loss = 150 rs.

As we are all aware,

Loss = Cost Price – Selling Price

So, Selling Price = Cost Price – Loss

= 1000 - 150

Pricing: R.850/- 


Question 5: Mukesh bought two watches at the same price and sold one at a 20% profit and the other at a 22.5 percent profit. What is the cost price of each of the watches if the difference in selling prices is Rs 150?

Solution: Let the cost of the watches be equal to 100x. 

Then the selling price of the first watch is 120x, and the selling price of the second watch is 122.5x.

The difference between selling prices is given as 150.

So, 122.5x - 120x = 150

2.5x = 150

x= 150 2.5

Therefore, x= 375

Substituting the x value in the original cost price, we get 100x = 100 (375) = Rs.37500.

Therefore the price of each watch is Rs. 37500.


Conclusion 

Profit and loss formulas are used to calculate the profit or loss generated by the sale of a specific product. A product's cost price is the price at which it is purchased. A product's selling price is the price at which it is sold. Profit is defined as the difference between the selling price and the cost price when the selling price is the more than the cost price. The difference between the selling price and the cost price is referred to as loss when the selling price is less than the cost price. When calculating profit and loss percentages for an article, it is important to remember that after purchasing the article, one may have to pay additional fees for transportation, repairing charges, local taxes, and so on. These additional costs are referred to as overheads. 

FAQs on Profit and Loss Percentage

1. What are the fundamental terms in profit and loss calculations, specifically Cost Price (CP) and Selling Price (SP)?

In any transaction, two key terms form the basis for calculating profit or loss:

  • Cost Price (CP): This is the total price at which an item is purchased. It includes the original purchase price plus any overhead expenses like transportation, taxes, or repairs.
  • Selling Price (SP): This is the price at which the same item is sold to a customer.

The relationship between CP and SP determines whether the transaction results in a profit (if SP > CP) or a loss (if CP > SP).

2. How is the profit or loss percentage calculated for a transaction?

To calculate the profit or loss as a percentage, you first find the absolute profit or loss and then express it as a percentage of the Cost Price. The formulas are:

  • Profit Percentage = (Profit / Cost Price) × 100
  • Loss Percentage = (Loss / Cost Price) × 100

For example, if a book is bought for Rs. 80 (CP) and sold for Rs. 100 (SP), the profit is Rs. 20. The profit percentage is (20 / 80) × 100 = 25%.

3. What is the key difference between 'profit' and 'profit percentage'?

The key difference lies in what they measure. Profit is an absolute value; it is the exact amount of money gained in a transaction (SP - CP). In contrast, profit percentage is a relative value. It expresses the profit as a percentage of the initial investment (the Cost Price), which allows for a standardised way to compare the profitability of different transactions, regardless of their size.

4. Why is profit or loss percentage always calculated on the Cost Price and not the Selling Price?

Profit or loss percentage is always calculated on the Cost Price (CP) because the CP represents the original investment made. The percentage indicates the rate of return or loss on that specific investment. Calculating it on the Selling Price would be misleading, as the SP already includes the profit margin. Using the CP as the base provides a true and consistent measure of profitability.

5. How do overhead expenses like transport or repairs affect the final profit or loss calculation?

Overhead expenses are additional costs incurred after purchasing an item but before selling it. These costs, such as transportation, installation, or repairs, must be added to the initial purchase price to determine the total Cost Price. Profit or loss is then calculated based on this total CP. For instance, if you buy a chair for Rs. 1000 and spend Rs. 200 on polishing, your total CP becomes Rs. 1200.

6. Can you explain with an example how to find the Cost Price when the Selling Price and loss percentage are given?

Yes. If you know the Selling Price (SP) and the loss percentage, you can find the Cost Price (CP) using the formula: CP = (SP × 100) / (100 - Loss Percentage). For example, if a washing machine is sold for Rs. 13,500 at a loss of 20%, the CP would be calculated as (13500 × 100) / (100 - 20) = 1350000 / 80 = Rs. 16,875.

7. Is it possible for a business to make a loss even if the Selling Price of an item is higher than its initial purchase price?

Yes, it is possible. This situation occurs when there are significant overhead expenses. While the Selling Price might be higher than the simple purchase price, the total Cost Price (purchase price + overheads) could exceed the Selling Price. For example, buying an item for Rs. 500 and spending Rs. 150 on shipping makes the total CP Rs. 650. Selling it for Rs. 600 would result in a loss of Rs. 50.

8. If a shopkeeper sells two items for the exact same price, making a 10% profit on the first and a 10% loss on the second, what is the overall result of the transaction?

In this classic scenario, the shopkeeper will incur an overall loss. This is because the 10% profit is calculated on a smaller Cost Price, while the 10% loss is calculated on a larger Cost Price. Since the base for the loss calculation is greater, the monetary value of the loss will be more than the monetary value of the profit, leading to a net loss for the combined transaction.