SSC GD Profit and Loss: Top Questions, Formulas & Expert Shortcuts
This guide provides high-yield SSC GD Profit and Loss questions complete with step-by-step solutions. Learn essential formulas, exam-ready shortcuts, and mathematical strategies to solve quantitative problems with speed and precision. Perfect for maximizing your exam performance.
Profit and loss is a core topic in the SSC GD Quantitative Aptitude section. Mastering this concept is crucial for achieving high marks, as it allows you to solve complex arithmetic problems quickly and accurately. These questions typically involve calculating Cost Price (CP), Selling Price (SP), profit margins, loss percentages, and markups. Key formulas include:
Check: SSC GD Exam Date 2026
Key Terms and Formulas
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Cost Price (CP): The actual price at which a product is bought.
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Selling Price (SP): The price at which a product is sold.
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Profit: Earned when SP > CP.
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Loss: Incurred when SP < CP.
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Profit or Loss Calculation:
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Profit = SP – CP
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Loss = CP – SP
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Profit or Loss Percentage:
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Profit % = (Profit / CP) × 100
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Loss % = (Loss / CP) × 100
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SSC GD Profit & Loss Questions and Answers
Q.1 An item is sold for ₹600, yielding a 20% profit. Calculate the cost price.
B. ₹640
C. ₹500
D. ₹480
Answer: C
Solution:
SP = ₹600
Profit = 20%
SP = CP × (1 + 20/100)
600 = CP × 1.20
CP = 600 ÷ 1.20 = ₹500
Q.2 A merchant offers a 20% discount on an item costing ₹3360. What should be the marked price to ensure a 25% profit?
B. ₹5250
C. ₹5050
D. ₹4950
Answer: B
Solution:
CP = ₹3360
Gain = 25%
SP = 3360 × 125/100 = ₹4200
0.8 × MP = 4200
MP = 4200 ÷ 0.8 = ₹5250
Q.3 A laptop is listed at ₹50,000. It is sold after successive discounts of 10% and 8%. What is the final selling price?
B. ₹42,000
C. ₹42,200
D. ₹41,800
Answer: A
Solution:
After 10% discount:
50,000 × 0.90 = ₹45,000
After 8% discount:
45,000 × 0.92 = ₹41,400
Q.4 Rupesh sold 153 chairs and earned a gain equal to the selling price of 53 chairs. Determine the profit percentage.
B. 63%
C. 58%
D. 48%
Answer: A
Let SP of 1 chair = ₹1
Total SP = 153
Gain = 53
CP = 153 − 53 = 100
Profit % = (53 / 100) × 100 = 53%
Q.5 Calculate the effective discount percentage for a "Buy 5 and get 3 free" offer.
B. 41.5%
C. 33.8%
D. 35.5%
Answer: A
Total items = 8
Free items = 3
Discount % = (3 / 8) × 100 = 37.5%
Q.6 A book purchased for ₹1020 is sold for ₹1224. Calculate the profit percentage.
B. 19%
C. 21%
D. 20%
Answer: D
Profit = 1224 − 1020 = 204
Profit % = (204 / 1020) × 100 = 20%
Q.7 Mandar sells a calculator at a 5% profit, and Ketan sells it at a 25% loss. Given a final SP of ₹3780, find the original CP.
B. 4550
C. 4600
D. 4950
Answer: A
CP (Ketan) = 3780 × 100 / 75 = 5040
CP (Mandar) = 5040 × 100 / 105 = ₹4800
Q.8 A vendor buys 120 shirts at ₹375 each and sells them for a total of ₹48,600. Find the overall gain/loss percentage.
B. Loss 12%
C. Loss 8%
D. Gain 12%
Answer: A
Total CP = 120 × 375 = 45,000
Gain = 48,600 − 45,000 = 3600
Gain % = (3600 / 45000) × 100 = 8%
Q.9 Find the effective discount for the "Buy 10, get 6 free" promotional scheme.
B. 37.5%
C. 73.5%
D. 62.5%
Answer: B
Solution:
Items paid for = 10
Items received free = 6
Total number of items received = 10 + 6 = 16
Effective discount % = (Free items / Total items) × 100
= (6 / 16) × 100
= 37.5%
Q.10 A trader sells a toy for ₹615 after an 18% discount. If sold at 80% of the marked price, the profit is 20%. Find the original cost price.
B. ₹600
C. ₹400
D. ₹450
Answer: A
Solution:
Selling price after 18% discount = ₹615
Hence, 82% of Marked Price = 615
Marked Price = 615 × 100 ÷ 82 = 750
Selling price at 80% of Marked Price
= 80% of 750 = 600
Profit = 20%
Selling Price = 120% of Cost Price
Cost Price = 600 × 100 ÷ 120 = ₹500
Q.11 Cost price of A is ₹400 more than B. Item A is sold at 10% loss, and B at 60% profit. With an overall profit of 20%, find the selling price of A.
B. ₹1500
C. ₹1440
D. ₹1600
Answer: C
Solution:
Let CP of B = x
CP of A = x + 400
SP of A = 90% of (x + 400) = 0.9(x + 400)
SP of B = 160% of x = 1.6x
Total CP = x + (x + 400) = 2x + 400
Total SP = 0.9(x + 400) + 1.6x
Overall profit = 20%
Total SP = 1.2 × Total CP
0.9(x + 400) + 1.6x = 1.2(2x + 400)
0.9x + 360 + 1.6x = 2.4x + 480
2.5x + 360 = 2.4x + 480
0.1x = 120
x = 1200
CP of A = 1200 + 400 = 1600
SP of A = 90% of 1600 = ₹1440
Q.12 Item marked at ₹1200. Successive discounts of 20% and 10% are applied. Find the final SP.
B. ₹960
C. ₹900
D. ₹880
Answer: A
SP = 1200 × (1 − 20/100) × (1 − 10/100)
SP = 1200 × 0.8 × 0.9
SP = 1200 × 0.72
SP = ₹864
Q.13 Nitin buys sharpeners at ₹180/dozen and sells them at ₹20 each. Calculate the profit percentage.
B. 35.33%
C. 31.33%
D. 37.33%
Answer: A
Solution:
CP per dozen = ₹180
CP per sharpener = 180 ÷ 12 = ₹15
SP per sharpener = ₹20
Profit per sharpener = 20 − 15 = ₹5
Profit % = (5 ÷ 15) × 100 = 33.33%
Q.14 Selling at 8/13 of actual SP results in a 20% loss. Find the profit percentage if sold at 85% of actual SP.
B. 8.2%
C. 12.3%
D. 10.5%
Answer: D
Solution:
Assume actual SP = ₹13
First SP = ₹8
Loss = 20% ⇒ SP = 80% of CP
8 = 0.8 × CP
CP = 10
Second SP = 85% of 13 = 11.05
Profit = 11.05 − 10 = 1.05
Profit % = (1.05 ÷ 10) × 100 = 10.5%
Q.15 A shirt is marked at ₹800. A 25% discount is allowed. Find the selling price.
B. ₹650
C. ₹700
D. ₹750
Answer: A
Discount = 25% of 800 = 200
Selling Price = 800 − 200 = ₹600
Q.16 Rakesh sold 150 chairs and gained the equivalent of the selling price of 75 chairs. Find the profit percentage.
B. 95%
C. 100%
D. 105%
Answer: C
Solution:
Assume SP of 1 chair = ₹1
Total SP = 150
Gain = 75
CP = 150 − 75 = 75
Profit % = (75 ÷ 75) × 100 = 100%
Q.17 Selling 15 balls for ₹1220 results in a loss equal to the cost price of 5 balls. Find the cost price of one ball.
B. 122
C. 112
D. 120
Answer: B
Solution:
Let CP of one ball = x
SP of 15 balls = CP of 15 balls − CP of 5 balls
1220 = 15x − 5x
1220 = 10x
x = 122
Q.18 A merchant marks goods 50% above cost price and offers a 12% discount. Find the profit percentage.
B. 32%
C. 43%
D. 35%
Answer: B
Solution:
Let CP = 100
MP = 150
SP = 150 × 0.88 = 132
Profit = 132 − 100 = 32
Profit % = 32%
Q.19 Table marked at ₹8000. Bought at successive discounts of 20% and 25%. Transport cost = ₹300. Sold at ₹8000. Find the profit %.
B. 54%
C. 56.86%
D. 52%
Answer: C
Solution:
Purchase price = 8000 × 0.8 × 0.75 = 4800
Total CP = 4800 + 300 = 5100
Profit = 8000 − 5100 = 2900
Profit % = (2900 ÷ 5100) × 100 = 56.86%
Q.20 Successive discounts of 8% and 5% are equivalent to a single discount of:
B. 12.6%
C. 13.4%
D. 12.5%
Answer: B
Equivalent discount = 8 + 5 − (8 × 5)/100
= 13 − 0.4
= 12.6%
Q.21 Watch marked at ₹1200 is sold at successive discounts of 5% and 8%. Find the selling price.
B. ₹1052.60
C. ₹1070.85
D. ₹1085.65
Answer: A
Solution:
Marked Price = 1200
After 1st discount (5%):
= 1200 × 0.95 = 1140
After 2nd discount (8%):
= 1140 × 0.92 = ₹1048.80
Q.22 Laptop priced at ₹40,000 with a ₹4,000 discount. Mouse costing ₹1,500 bought at 20% discount. Find total amount spent.
B. ₹36,500
C. ₹37,200
D. ₹38,600
Answer: C
Solution:
SP of laptop = 40,000 − 4,000 = 36,000
Discount on mouse = 20% of 1500 = 300
SP of mouse = 1500 − 300 = 1200
Total amount spent = 36,000 + 1,200 = ₹37,200
Q.23 Trader claims 29% profit but uses 30% less weight. Calculate total profit percentage (nearest whole number).
B. 84%
C. 86%
D. 87%
Answer: B
Solution:
Claimed profit = 29%
Weight shortage = 30%
Net gain factor = (100 + 29) / (100 − 30)
= 129 / 70 = 1.842857
Net profit % = (1.842857 − 1) × 100 = 84.28%
≈ 84%
Q.24 Two products ₹350 each. Buy one get one 30% off. Find total amount paid.
B. ₹490
C. ₹560
D. ₹455
Answer: A
Solution:
Price of first product = ₹350
Discount on second product = 30% of 350 = 105
Price after discount = 350 − 105 = 245
Total amount paid = 350 + 245 = ₹595
Q.25 Two successive discounts of 65% and 24% are equivalent to a single discount of:
B. 74.5%
C. 76.6%
D. 73.4%
Answer: D
Equivalent discount = 65 + 24 − (65 × 24)/100
= 89 − 15.6
= 73.4%
Q.26 Selling price of 50 books equals the cost price of 39 books. Find the loss or gain percentage.
B. 100/11% loss
C. 22% loss
D. 22% gain
Answer: C
Solution:
Let CP of 1 book = ₹1
CP of 39 books = 39
SP of 50 books = 39
SP of 1 book = 39 ÷ 50
Loss per book = 1 − 39/50 = 11/50
Loss % = (11/50) × 100 = 22%
Q.27 Item listed at ₹1600 bought after 35% and 5% discounts. Relisted to gain 25% after a 5% discount. Find new listed price.
B. ₹1200
C. ₹1235
D. ₹1300
Answer: D
Solution:
Cost Price = 1600 × 0.65 × 0.95 = 988
Selling price for 25% gain = 988 × 1.25 = 1235
Let new MP = x
0.95x = 1235
x = 1235 ÷ 0.95 = ₹1300
Q.28 92 mirrors purchased for ₹92. 35 broke in transit. Remainder sold at ₹4.40 each. Find the profit.
B. ₹157.90
C. ₹161.70
D. ₹153.10
Answer: A
Solution:
Mirrors sold = 92 − 35 = 57
Selling price = 57 × 4.40 = 250.80
Total cost price = 92
Profit = 250.80 − 92 = ₹158.80
Q.29 Fan bought for ₹2200 and sold at a loss of 35%. Find the selling price.
B. ₹1430
C. ₹1420
D. ₹1440
Answer: B
Selling Price = 2200 × (1 − 35/100)
= 2200 × 0.65
= ₹1430
Q.30 Difference between selling prices with single 40% discount and successive 15% & 20% discounts is ₹400. Find the marked price.
B. ₹4900
C. ₹5000
D. ₹4950
Answer: C
Solution:
SP with 40% discount = 0.60 × MP
SP with 15% & 20% discount = 0.85 × 0.80 × MP = 0.68 MP
Difference = 0.68 MP − 0.60 MP = 400
0.08 MP = 400
MP = 400 ÷ 0.08 = ₹5000