Profit, Loss & Discount
Profit and loss is percentage arithmetic with one rule attached: percentages are always taken on the cost price unless the question says otherwise. Nearly every wrong answer in this chapter comes from calculating a percentage on the selling price by mistake.
Don't read this page — work through it. Each block asks you to commit to an answer before it tells you anything.
Start here: what do you already know?
Profit & loss — true or false?
6 statements · 10s each
The formulas, and what each is based on
| Quantity | Formula | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Profit | SP − CP | — |
| Profit % | (Profit / CP) × 100 | Cost price |
| Loss % | (Loss / CP) × 100 | Cost price |
| Discount % | (Discount / MP) × 100 | Marked price |
| SP from CP | CP × (100 + profit%) / 100 | — |
Write "CP" beside every percentage you calculate. The discipline is the topic.
Sort by outcome
Profit or loss?
0/6CP 80, SP 80
Which group does it belong to?
Commit to the answer
Compute, then check
1/4An article costing 400 is sold for 500. What is the profit percentage?
28%
Method, in order
Match the situation to its result
Quick reference
Exam tip: whenever a question pairs an equal percentage rise and fall — or an equal markup and discount — the answer is a loss of x²/100 %. It is never break-even, and it is asked almost every year.