gbascurs
EgmatQuantExpert
The question is a bit wordy and gives us a series of percentages on which we need to work on. Going step wise is the key to not miss out on any of the information. Presenting the detailed step wise solution
Step-I- Store buys the clockLet's assume the original price of clock paid by the store to be \(x\)
Step-II- Collectors buys the clock from the storeExtra amount paid by collector to buy the clock = \(20\)% of \(x\)
Therefore price at which collector buys the clock = \(x + 20\)% of \(x = 1.2x\)
Step-III- Store buys back the clock from collectorPrice at which the store buys the clock = \(50\)% of price collector paid \(= 50\)% of \(1.2x = 0.6x\)
Step-IV- Store resells the clockPrice at which store resells the clock = \(0.6x + 80\)% of \(0.6x = 0.6x * 1.8\)
Now, we are given that difference between clock's original price and clock's buy back price = \(100\)
\(x - 0.6x = 100\) i.e. \(x = 250\)
We are asked to find the price at which the store resells the clock = \(0.6x * 1.8 = 0.6 * 250 * 1.8 = 270\)
Hope this helps

Regards
Harsh
Dear,
I have a basic question.
The author states: "The shop then sold the clock again at a profit of 80 percent on its buy-back price". Why is it suppose to multiply 0.6x*1.8? I think my confuse is related to the profit concept. For me, if I buy something at 100, and the cost of it is 80. I have a profit of 20/100 = 20%. Using the same logic on the question, if I buy something at 100 and I get a profit of 80%, the sales price must be 100/0.2. Thus, it is 500. Profit is 400/500=80%. It is a totally different aproach than to say 100*1,8.
Where my confuse is?
Kind regards...
Gonzalo
Gonzalo, Profit is calculated = Selling price - Cost price. Profit % is always calculated on the cost price of the purchase and not on the selling price. You are calculating profit % on the selling price. This is where you are going wrong. I am assuming that in your example, you are buying something at 80 while you are selling it at 100, giving you an absolute profit of 20$ while your profit % will be 20/80 = 25% and not 20/100 = 20%.
Now, in the question above, lets say the original cost of the clock to store was C$ and then it sold the same to the collector at 20% profit.
This means the clocks' selling price was C (1.2) and this becomes cost price for the collector.
Now, when the collector tries to sell the same clock to the store, the store buys it for 50% the price at which the collector bought it.
Thus, you get = 1.2*0.5*C = 0.6 C
Furthermore, the store sells the clock for the second time for 80% profit and thus the selling price of the clock becomes = cost price of the clock for the store at buy-back * 1.8 = 1.8 * 0.6 C
Finally given that C - 0.6 C = 100 ----> C = 250$
Thus, the cost of the clock the second time around = 1.8*0.6 C = 1.8 * 0.6 * 250 = 270$. Hence A is the correct answer.