A trader buys two articles for Rs. 4000 each. While selling if he gains 12.5% on one and loses 20% on the other, then what will be the overall loss per cent?

Options

A. 2.5
B. 3.75
C. 5
D. 5.25

Answer

To solve the problem step by step, we need to calculate the gain and loss on the two articles and then determine the overall loss percentage.

### Step 1: Determine the cost price of each article
The trader buys two articles for Rs. 4000 each.

- Cost Price (CP) of Article 1 = Rs. 4000
- Cost Price (CP) of Article 2 = Rs. 4000

### Step 2: Calculate the selling price of Article 1
The trader gains 12.5% on Article 1.

- Gain on Article 1 = 12.5% of Rs. 4000
- Gain = (12.5/100) * 4000 = Rs. 500

Now, calculate the Selling Price (SP) of Article 1:

- SP of Article 1 = CP + Gain = 4000 + 500 = Rs. 4500

### Step 3: Calculate the selling price of Article 2
The trader loses 20% on Article 2.

- Loss on Article 2 = 20% of Rs. 4000
- Loss = (20/100) * 4000 = Rs. 800

Now, calculate the Selling Price (SP) of Article 2:

- SP of Article 2 = CP - Loss = 4000 - 800 = Rs. 3200

### Step 4: Calculate the total cost price and total selling price
- Total Cost Price (CP) = CP of Article 1 + CP of Article 2
- Total CP = 4000 + 4000 = Rs. 8000

- Total Selling Price (SP) = SP of Article 1 + SP of Article 2
- Total SP = 4500 + 3200 = Rs. 7700

### Step 5: Calculate the overall loss
- Overall Loss = Total CP - Total SP
- Overall Loss = 8000 - 7700 = Rs. 300

### Step 6: Calculate the overall loss percentage
- Loss Percentage = (Overall Loss / Total CP) * 100
- Loss Percentage = (300 / 8000) * 100 = 3.75%

Thus, the overall loss percentage is **3.75%**.

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