Last visit was: 27 Apr 2026, 06:24 It is currently 27 Apr 2026, 06:24
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 27 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,928
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,914
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,928
Kudos: 811,542
 [25]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
24
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
Skywalker18
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 08 Dec 2013
Last visit: 15 Nov 2023
Posts: 1,973
Own Kudos:
10,181
 [12]
Given Kudos: 171
Status:Greatness begins beyond your comfort zone
Location: India
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
GPA: 3.2
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Products:
Posts: 1,973
Kudos: 10,181
 [12]
10
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
avatar
abh007
Joined: 10 Jun 2015
Last visit: 07 Mar 2016
Posts: 9
Own Kudos:
7
 [3]
Given Kudos: 9
Concentration: Marketing, Technology
GMAT 1: 490 Q47 V13
GMAT 1: 490 Q47 V13
Posts: 9
Kudos: 7
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
ShashankDave
Joined: 03 Apr 2013
Last visit: 26 Jan 2020
Posts: 215
Own Kudos:
301
 [3]
Given Kudos: 872
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GPA: 3
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
Posts: 215
Kudos: 301
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Skywalker18
Cost price of article = 48$
% of overhead cost = 15
Net profit = 12 $
We need to calculate % markup
Net profit as % of cost price = (12/48)*100 = 25%
Total markup should be = 25 + 15 = 40%

Answer D

Is it just me or the language of the question is a bit confusing?
15% of the cost would be included in the gross cost and then there would be a markup of some percent to get a net profit of $12. Or is it that this net profit is to be calculated as a percentage of the original purchase cost. This got me confused. Please help. And sorry if my question is silly.
User avatar
stonecold
Joined: 12 Aug 2015
Last visit: 09 Apr 2024
Posts: 2,231
Own Kudos:
3,644
 [1]
Given Kudos: 893
GRE 1: Q169 V154
GRE 1: Q169 V154
Posts: 2,231
Kudos: 3,644
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Excellent Question.

Here is what i did in this one =>

Price => $48

12% overhead => 12% of 48
10% of 48=4.8
5% of 48 = 2.4
12% of 48=7.2

Hence overhead add-on => $7.2

Now profit add-on => $12

Total add-on =>7.2+12=> $19.2

Let p be the required percentage.

Hence p/100 * 48=19.2
=192/48 *10 => 40%

SMASH THAT D.
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
20,007
 [1]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,007
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Purchase Price: $48

Include 15% of the cost for overhead: \(\frac{115}{100} * 48 = $55.2\)

Provide $12 of net profit: $55.2 + 12 = $67.2

Marked price is up by: \(\frac{67.2 - 48 }{ 48} * 100 = 40%\)

Answer D
User avatar
joshuaa77
Joined: 17 Jan 2025
Last visit: 15 Apr 2026
Posts: 13
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 13
Location: Canada
Schools: Booth '27
GPA: 3.7
Schools: Booth '27
Posts: 13
Kudos: 2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I got confused with the wording as well in that I assumed the purchase price of 48 is the final price and includes the markups of 15% and 12 dollars. So the equation would look like this if x denoted the original price: 0.15x + 12 + x = 48.

Obviously this is wrong and you have to assume that the purchase price is the starting point to which you are looking to add those mark ups. Under that assumption, the question becomes incredibly simple.

ShashankDave
Skywalker18
Cost price of article = 48$
% of overhead cost = 15
Net profit = 12 $
We need to calculate % markup
Net profit as % of cost price = (12/48)*100 = 25%
Total markup should be = 25 + 15 = 40%

Answer D

Is it just me or the language of the question is a bit confusing?
15% of the cost would be included in the gross cost and then there would be a markup of some percent to get a net profit of $12. Or is it that this net profit is to be calculated as a percentage of the original purchase cost. This got me confused. Please help. And sorry if my question is silly.
User avatar
DonBosco7
Joined: 03 Mar 2020
Last visit: 01 Apr 2026
Posts: 83
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 84
Posts: 83
Kudos: 20
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
15% of 48 = 7.2
profit = $12
CP = $48
profit = (SP-7.2) - CP ......... [The markup should include 15% of CP ]
12 = SP - 7.2 - 48
60 = SP - 7.2
SP = 67.2

question asks SP (also Markup Price) = ?% of CP
67.2 = x% of 48
solve for x you get 140%
i.e 40% Markup over cost
D
User avatar
soniasw16
Joined: 12 Jul 2025
Last visit: 18 Mar 2026
Posts: 43
Given Kudos: 19
Posts: 43
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
May I know if such questions may still come up in GMAT Focus Edition? Wording here really confused me...
Bunuel
The purchase price of an article is $48. In order to include 15% of cost for overhead and to provide $12 of net profit, the markup should be

A. 15%
B. 25%
C. 35%
D. 40%
E. 45%
Moderators:
Math Expert
109928 posts
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts