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Case 1: CP = 20, MP = 20% over the CP = 20 * 125 / 100 = 25
Let the discount = x
Then 25 *(100 - x/100) * (100 - x/100) / 100 = 20.25
(100 - x) ^2 = (20.25 * 100 * 100) / 25
100 - x)^2 = 8100
100 - x = 90
x = 10%

Case2: After marking up by 25%, he increases it twice by 10%.

25 * (110 / 100) * (110/100) = 30.25

Profit = SP - CP
Profit in Case 1: = 20.25 - 20 = 0.25
Profit in Case 2: = 30.25 - 20 = 10.25

% Increase = (Difference / Smaller number) * 100 = [(10.25 - 0.25) / 0.25) * 100] = (10/0.25) * 100 = 4000%
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Things to note.

(1) If there is a % increase, it will increase from 100 and if there is a % decrease, it would have decreased from 100%. For e.g, if a value of 20, increases by 25%, we can write it as 20 * (100 + 25) / 100 = 25
Similarly, if a value of 20 decreases by 10%, then the final value is 20 * (100 - 10) /100 = 18


(2) A % increase, will increase the initial value and give us the final value. A markup % and Profit % are based on %
increase and increases the initial value to give the final value. In both cases CP is the initial Value.
If a markup% is involved, then the final value is the Marked Price (MP) and is given by

CP (100 + Markup%) / 100 = MP

If a Profit% is involved, then the final value is the Selling Price (SP) and is given by

CP (100 + Profit%) / 100 = SP

(3) Similarly, a % decrease, will decrease the initial value and give us the final value. A Discount % and Loss % are based on % decrease and decreases the initial value to give the fial value.

If a Discount% is involved, then the initial Value is the MP and final value is the SP and is given by

MP (100 - Discount%) / 100 = SP

If a Loss% is involved, then the initial value is the CP and the final value is the Selling Price (SP) and is given by

CP (100 - Loss%) / 100 = SP

Arun Kumar
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Hi Bunuel, is there a shorter method to solve such problems on the actual exam? Spending 3 minutes is a bit much on this. It would be great if you could help out.
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Emdadul28
An article costing Rs. 20 was marked 25% above the cost price. After two successive discounts of the same percentage, the customer now pays Rs. 20.25. What would be the percentage change in profit had the price been increased by the same percentage twice successively instead reducing it?

A. 3600%
B. 3200%
C. 2800%
D. 4000%
E. 3800%
A shorter route:

Marked price = 20 * 1.25 = 25.

After two equal discounts, price becomes 20.25.

20.25/25 = 0.81 = 0.9^2

So each discount is 10%.

If instead the price were increased by 10% twice:

25 * 1.1^2 = 30.25

Old profit = 20.25 - 20 = 0.25
New profit = 30.25 - 20 = 10.25

Increase in profit = 10

10/0.25 * 100 = 4000%

Answer: D.
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