Profit & Loss MCQs with Answers – Solved from Past Papers
112 solved Profit & Loss MCQs collected from real PPSC, FPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC & NTS past papers (2002–2025). Tap an option to attempt — see correct answer instantly. Download the full PDF for offline revision.
Anarticle is sold for 596 after a 20% discount. What was the original price?
Show solution
After a 20% discount the SP is 80% of the marked price. So MP = 596 / 0.80 = Rs. 745.
The discount price of a book is 20% less than the retail price. James manages to purchase the book at 30% off the discount price at a special book sale. What percent of the retail price did James pay?
Show solution
Discounted price is 80% of retail; James pays 70% of that, so 0.80 x 0.70 = 0.56 = 56% of the retail price.
Waleed gave 25% of a profit to his partner. If the partner got Rs. 8000. What remains with Waleed?
Show solution
If 25% of profit = Rs. 8000, total profit = Rs. 32000. Waleed keeps 75% = Rs. 24000.
Anornament seller marks the price of article of Rs. 28,800. Find the selling price of the article if he gives a discount of 20%?
Show solution
SP = MP x (1 – d%) = 28800 x 0.80 = Rs. 23040.
Ona 20% discount sale, an article costs 596. What was the original price of the article?
Show solution
SP = 80% of MP, so MP = 596 / 0.80 = Rs. 745.
Aman bought a piece of land worth Rs. 300,000 and sold it for 240,000. What is his loss percentage?
Show solution
Loss = 300000 – 240000 = Rs. 60000. Loss% = 60000/300000 x 100 = 20%.
A Motor Cycle for Rs. 60000 And sold it for Rs. 66000. His percentage profit is?
Show solution
Profit = 66000 – 60000 = Rs. 6000. Profit% = 6000/60000 x 100 = 10%.
Ifthe purchase amount is Rs.20000 and sell price is Rs.16000 then loss is how much percent?
Show solution
Loss = 20000 – 16000 = Rs. 4000. Loss% = 4000/20000 x 100 = 20%.
Mr. Aand B invest in ratio 1:2 with Rs. 5000 profit for each, each ratio becomes 18:24. What is B’s amount after profit?
Workman bought a bike in Rs. 75,500 at 20% discount. How much did he save?
Show solution
Marked price Rs. 75,500 with a 20% discount: savings = 20% of 75500 = Rs. 15,100.
Aman buys a shirt for Rs. 70 after getting a discount of 20%. What was the marked price of the shirt?
Show solution
70 = MP x 0.80, so MP = 70 / 0.8 = Rs. 87.5.
Alina gets a discount of 25% on Rs. 3600 oven. Since she pays cash, she gets an additional 2% discount too. How much does she pay?
Show solution
Price after 25% discount = 3600 x 0.75 = 2700. With additional 2% off: 2700 x 0.98 = Rs. 2646.
If selling price of 40 articles is equal to cost price of 50 articles, the loss or gain percent is?
Show solution
40 SP = 50 CP, so SP/CP = 50/40 = 1.25. Gain% = 25%.
To gain 10% on selling, sample of milk at the cost price of pure milk, the quantity of water to be mixed with 50 kg of pure milk is?
Show solution
Selling mixture at CP of pure milk with 10% gain means water:milk = 10:100. Water = 10% of 50 = 5 kg.
Samar Bought a shirt for Rs.250, sold Rs.295, profit?
Show solution
Profit = SP – CP = 295 – 250 = Rs. 45.
A person bought camera in Rs 1800 and sold it for 10% loss. How much price he finally got?
Show solution
SP at 10% loss = 1800 x 0.90 = Rs. 1620.
Onacertain item the price is decreased to 0.42 from 0.62. What is the actual percentage of discount?
Show solution
Discount% = (0.62 – 0.42)/0.62 x 100 = 0.20/0.62 x 100 = 32.26% ≈ 32%.
Price 75; after 15% discount price is?
Show solution
SP = 75 x (1 – 0.15) = 75 x 0.85 = Rs. 63.75.
A person bought an item for Rs.2500 and sold it for 15% discount. What was the selling price after discount?
Show solution
SP after 15% discount = 2500 x 0.85 = Rs. 2125.
Aperson sold a pen at Rs 900 with 25% loss; original price?
Show solution
CP = SP/(1 – loss%) = 900/0.75 = Rs. 1200.
Aslam bought a cycle for Rs 750 and sold it for Rs 675. Find the loss percentage?
Show solution
Loss = 750 – 675 = 75. Loss% = 75/750 x 100 = 10%.
If books bought at prices ranging from Rs.150 to Rs.300 are sold at prices ranging from Rs.250 to Rs.350, what is the greatest possible profit that might be made in selling 15 books?
Show solution
Maximum profit per book = 350 – 150 = Rs. 200. For 15 books = 15 x 200 = Rs. 3000.
Find the marked price of a uniform shirt if it is sold for Rs. 1311 after discount of 5%?
Show solution
MP = SP/(1 – d%) = 1311/0.95 = Rs. 1380.
The cash difference between the selling prices of an article at a profit of 4% and WHATSAPP FOR IN CLASSES NITH SIR TAUQEER 6% is Rs 3. The ratio of two selling prices is?
Show solution
Difference of 2% of CP = Rs. 3 implies CP = Rs. 150. SPs are 156 and 159; ratio 156:159 = 52:53.
If Ali get 25% profit by selling an article in 250 rupees what is the original price of the article?
Show solution
CP = SP/(1 + g%) = 250/1.25 = Rs. 200.
Ahmed got 25 rupees profit on every article of Rs 250 then how much percentage of profit he got?
Show solution
Profit% = 25/250 x 100 = 10%.
Akram sold a plot at Rs 60,000 and the cost of the plot is Rs 57,000 then the profit he earns is?
Show solution
Profit = 60000 – 57000 = Rs. 3000.
Atrader mixes 26 kg of rice at Rs. 20 kg with 30 kg of rice of other variety at Rs. 36 per kg and sells the mixed variety of rice at Rs. 30 per kg. What will be his profit percentage?
Show solution
Total CP = 26 x 20 + 30 x 36 = 520 + 1080 = 1600. Total SP = 56 x 30 = 1680. Profit% = 80/1600 x 100 = 5%.
The selling price of an article is Rs. 118 and the profit earned is 50%. The cost price of the article is?
Show solution
CP = SP/(1 + g%) = 118/1.5 = Rs. 78.67.
The cost price of 20 articles is the same as the selling price of X article. If the profit is 25% then the value of X is?
Show solution
20 CP = X SP = X x 1.25 CP, so X = 20/1.25 = 16.
Haider made a profit of 25% in the first year. Next year he had a loss of 20% on the capital he had at the beginning of second year. What was his overall loss or profit?
Show solution
Net factor = 1.25 x 0.80 = 1.00, so overall change is 0%.
Atrader mixes 26 Kg of rice at Rs. 20 per kg with 30 kg of rice of other variety at Rs. 36 per Kg and sells mixture at Rs. 30 per kg this profit percent is?
Show solution
Total CP = 520 + 1080 = 1600; SP = 56 x 30 = 1680. Profit% = 80/1600 x 100 = 5%.
Ifthe profit of three business partners is Rs. 45000 and has ratio 5:4:6, what is the amount of maximum share?
Show solution
Max share = 6/(5+4+6) x 45000 = 6/15 x 45000 = Rs. 18000.
Aretailer increases the selling price by 25% due to which his profit percentage increases from 20% to 25%. What is the percentage increase in cost price?
Show solution
Let CP=100, SP=120. New SP=120 x 1.25=150, new profit 25% gives new CP=150/1.25=120. CP increase = 20%.
Aman buys an article for RS. 27.50 and sells it for RS. 28.60. Find his gain percent? 4 Solution: Cost Price (CP) = 27.50 Selling Price (SP) = 28.60 Gain = SP-CP = 28.60 – 27.50 = 1.10 Gain % = (Gain / CP) x 100 = (1.10 / 27.50) x 100 = (110 / 2750) x 100 PREPARATION WI1 = (1/25) x 100= 4% Answer: 4% – Largest perfect square between 4 and 50 is?
Show solution
Largest perfect square between 4 and 50 is 49 (7^2).
The ratio of cost price and selling price is ratio 4: 5. What is the profit percent?
Show solution
SP/CP = 5/4 = 1.25, so profit = 25%.
Adoll is sold for Rs. 220. What was the cost of doll if rate of profit was 10% of the cost?
Show solution
CP = 220/1.10 = Rs. 200.
Oscar purchased a new hat that was on sale for $5.06. The original price was $9.20. What percentage discount was the sale price?
Show solution
Discount% = (9.20 – 5.06)/9.20 x 100 = 4.14/9.20 x 100 = 45%.
A toy is sold for Rs. 220. What was the cost, if the rate of profit was 10% of the cost?
Show solution
CP = 220/1.10 = Rs. 200.
Abdul purchased 20 dozen of toys at the rate of Rs. 375 per dozen. He sold WHATSAPP FOR IN CLASSES NITH SIR TAUQEER each toy for Rs. 33. What was his percentage profit?
Show solution
CP = 20 x 375 = 7500. SP = 20 x 12 x 33 = 7920. Profit% = 420/7500 x 100 = 5.6%.
A bookseller sold a book for Rs. 40.00 to make a profit of 15% percent. In order to earn a profit of 20%, he should have sold it for?
Show solution
CP = 40/1.15 = 34.78. New SP = 34.78 x 1.20 = Rs. 41.74.
After a discount of 34%, an article is sold for Rs. 3168. What is the marked price (in Rs.) of the article?
Show solution
MP = 3168/(1 – 0.34) = 3168/0.66 = Rs. 4800.
Foran article the profit is 170% of the cost price. If the cost price increases by 20% but the selling price remains same, then what is the new profit percent?
Show solution
Let CP=100, profit=170, SP=270. New CP=120, new profit=270-120=150, new profit% = 150/120 x 100 = 125%.
Anwar spends Rs. 44,000 to get a car and sells it at Rs. 48,000. Find its percentage of profit?
Show solution
Profit = 4000. Profit% = 4000/44000 x 100 = 9.09%.
Mr. Khan sold a car for Rs. 80,000 which he bought for Rs. 90,000. What is his % loss?
Show solution
Loss = 10000. Loss% = 10000/90000 x 100 = 11.11%.
Ahmad bought a shirt for Rs. 350 and sold it at Rs. 300. How much loss did he get?
Show solution
Loss = 350 – 300 = Rs. 50.
By selling a watch for Rs. 560, a shopkeeper incurs a loss of 20%. Find the cost price of the watch for the shopkeeper?
Show solution
CP = 560/(1 – 0.20) = 560/0.80 = Rs. 700.
Ahandling was bought for Rs. 280 and was sold for Rs. 350, the percentage profit will be?
Show solution
Profit = 70. Profit% = 70/280 x 100 = 25%.
Aretailer bought a product from producer for Rs. 300 and paid sales tax of 15% and sold the product to customer for Rs. 410. Calculate the profit?
Show solution
Total cost incl. tax = 300 x 1.15 = 345. Profit = 410 – 345 = Rs. 65.
The profit on the sales of female shoes of a shop increases from Rs. 1,223,768 in year 2011 to Rs. 1,474,898 in a year 2012. How much profit has increased monthly in rupees?
Show solution
Yearly increase = 1474898 – 1223768 = 251130. Monthly = 251130/12 = Rs. 20927.50.
Aretailer increase the selling price by 25% due to which his profit percentage increase from 20% to 25%. What is the percentage increase in cost price?
Show solution
Let CP=100, SP=120; new SP=150 with 25% profit gives new CP=120. CP increase = 20%.
Acycle merchant allows 25% discount on the marked price of the cycles and still makes a profit of 20%. If he gains Rs. 360 on the sale of a cycle, the marked price of the cycle is?
Show solution
SP = 0.75 MP = 1.20 CP, so MP = 1.6 CP. Gain = 0.20 CP = 360 gives CP = 1800, MP = Rs. 2880.
Amansells his typewriter at 5% loss. If he sells it for Rs. 80 more, he gains 5%. The cost price of the typewriter is?
Rahl buys some toffees at 2 for a rupee and sells them at 5 for a rupee. His loss percentage is?
Show solution
CP per toffee = 1/2, SP = 1/5. Loss% = (1/2 – 1/5)/(1/2) x 100 = (3/10)/(1/2) x 100 = 60%.
Aplotis sold for Rs. 18,700 with a loss of 15%. At what price it should be sold to get profit of 15%?
Show solution
CP = 18700/0.85 = 22000. SP at 15% profit = 22000 x 1.15 = Rs. 25300.
Onselling 17 balls are Rs. 720 there is a loss equal to the cost price of 5 balls. The cost price of a ball is?
Show solution
Loss = CP of 5 balls, so SP of 17 = CP of 12. CP per ball = 720/12 = Rs. 60.
Alispends Rs. 500 to get a shirt and sells it at Rs. 480 — find percentage of loss?
Show solution
Loss = 20. Loss% = 20/500 x 100 = 4%.
Ashop keeper buys a watch for Rs. 350/- and sells it for Rs. 392/-. Find his percentage of profit?
Show solution
Profit = 42. Profit% = 42/350 x 100 = 12%.
Ifyou purchased a TV in Rs. 5000 and sell it in Rs. 4000. What percent of loss you beared?
Show solution
Loss = 1000. Loss% = 1000/5000 x 100 = 20%.
If Aslam sold a book in Rs. 118 and he got 50% profit, then the cost price of the book was?
Show solution
CP = 118/1.5 = Rs. 78.66.
A shirt originally priced at Rs 800 is on sale for 25% off. What is the final price after the discount?
Show solution
SP = 800 x 0.75 = Rs. 600.
The marked price of a smartphone is Rs 20,000. If a 12% GST is applied, what is the total amount to be paid?
Show solution
Total = 20000 x 1.12 = Rs. 22400.
Shahwaiz sold a computer for Rs. 25000 at which he suffered 20% loss. Find the purchase price of the computer?
Show solution
CP = 25000/0.80 = Rs. 31250.
Atastore everything is sold to 10% less than the price marked. If the owner buys a product for Rs. 90. What price should he mark them, if he wants to make a 10% profit on his cost?
Show solution
Required SP = 90 x 1.10 = 99 = 0.9 x MP, so MP = 99/0.9 = Rs. 110.
A store offers a 10% discount on all items. After applying the discount, the price of an item is Rs. 450. What was the original price of the item²
Show solution
MP = 450/0.90 = Rs. 500.
If there are two successive discounts of 20% and 20% on the same item, what is the total discount?
Show solution
Net = 1 – 0.80 x 0.80 = 1 – 0.64 = 0.36 = 36% discount.
Akbar sold his old gun for Rs. 900, which he bought for Rs. 2500 What is his % loss?
Show solution
Loss = 1600. Loss% = 1600/2500 x 100 = 64%.
Ali sold his old car for Rs. 43,000 He bought it for Rs. 50,000 What is his percentage loss?
Show solution
Loss = 7000. Loss% = 7000/50000 x 100 = 14%.
Ali bought a motorcycle for Rs. 60,000 and sold it for Rs. 66,000 What is his percentage profit?
Show solution
Profit = 6000. Profit% = 6000/60000 x 100 = 10%.
Mr Khan sold a car for Rs 80,000 which he bought for Rs 90,000 What is his percentage loss?
Show solution
Loss = 10000. Loss% = 10000/90000 x 100 = 11.11%.
Acar was sold for $24,000 with a 20% profit What was the original price of the car?
Show solution
CP = 24000/1.20 = $20000.
Onselling 17 balls at Rs. 720, there is a loss equal to the cost price of 5 balls. The cost price of a ball is?
Show solution
SP of 17 = CP of 12 (since loss = CP of 5). CP per ball = 720/12 = Rs. 60.
If the cost of an article is 25 per cent of its selling price, then what is the profit in terms of percentage?
Show solution
CP = 0.25 SP. Profit = SP – 0.25 SP = 0.75 SP. Profit% = 0.75/0.25 x 100 = 300%.
A fruit seller sells mangoes at the rate of Rs. 9 per Kg and thereby loses 20 percent. At what price per Kg he should have sold them to make a profit of 5 per cent?
Show solution
CP = 9/0.80 = 11.25. SP at 5% profit = 11.25 x 1.05 = Rs. 11.81.
“A” sold a pen for Rs. 180. This was Rs. 60 less than what “A” paid for it. What was A’s loss as a percentage of his cost price?
Show solution
CP = 180 + 60 = 240. Loss% = 60/240 x 100 = 25%.
Aholiday apartment at Ayubia costs Rs. 25,550 to hire, but a 10% discount is offered for early booking. A deposit of one-fifth of the total bill has to be sent in advance at the time of booking. What deposit would be required when an early booking is made?
Show solution
Discounted bill = 25550 x 0.90 = 22995. Deposit = 1/5 x 22995 = Rs. 4599.
Sadiq purchased a plot for Rs. 8,000. He sells the plot to Abid at a profit of 20%. Abid in turn sells that plot to Arif at a loss of 10%. The plot costs Arif?
Mr. Rehraan ordered a car worth Rs. 600,000 and was given a discount. Given that he paid Rs. 570,000 for his new car, calculate the percentage discount he received?
Show solution
Discount% = 30000/600000 x 100 = 5%.
Atoy is sold for RS.220. What was the cost if the rate of profit was 10% of the cost?
Show solution
CP = 220/1.10 = Rs. 200.
Imran made a profit of 20 percent in the first year. Next year he had a loss of 25 percent on the capital he had at the beginning of the second year. What was his overall loss?
Show solution
Net factor = 1.20 x 0.75 = 0.90, so overall loss = 10%.
Aman buys a watch for Rs. 1400 and sells it at a loss of 15%. What is the selling price of the watch?
Show solution
SP = 1400 x 0.85 = Rs. 1190.
Ifthe cost of 10 copies of a book is equal to selling price of 8 books then what percentage of gain or lose is incurred?
Show solution
10 CP = 8 SP, so SP/CP = 10/8 = 1.25; gain = 25%.
Alia bought a Jewellery set for Rs. 84,000 and sold for 85500. Find the percentage of profit?
Show solution
Profit = 1500. Profit% = 1500/84000 x 100 = 1.79%.
The original price of a gift pack is Rs. 80. A discount of 15% is allowed in shop. What is the sale price?
Show solution
SP = 80 x 0.85 = Rs. 68.
Ashopkeeper buys an article for Rs. 27 and sells it at a profit of 10 percent of the selling price. What is the selling price of the article?
Show solution
Profit = 10% of SP, so CP = 0.9 SP, thus SP = 27/0.9 = Rs. 30.
Salma purchased a hair band at a cost of Rs. 32 instead of Rs. 40 which was the original price. What is the rate of discount?
Show solution
Discount = 40 – 32 = 8. Rate = 8/40 x 100 = 20%.
Aslam bought a shirt of Rs. 500/- and sold it in Rs. 525/- What profit did Aslam get?
Show solution
Profit = 525 – 500 = Rs. 25.
Salaam bought a pair of shoes for Rs.300 and sold it Rs.370. How much profit did Salaam get?
Show solution
Profit = 370 – 300 = Rs. 70.
Anwar bought a shirt for Rs.500 and sold it Rs.525. What profit did Anwar get?
Show solution
Profit = 525 – 500 = Rs. 25.
Two successive discounts of 20% and 20% are equivalent to a single discount of?
Show solution
Net = 1 – 0.80 x 0.80 = 0.36 = 36% single discount.
Aseller marks his goods 30% above the cost price but allows a discount of 15% from the marked price. His percentage of profit is?
Show solution
Net factor = 1.30 x 0.85 = 1.105, so profit = 10.5%.
Ifthe cost price of 10 chairs be equal to selling price of 16 chairs, then the loss percentage will be?
Show solution
10 CP = 16 SP, so SP/CP = 10/16 = 0.625. Loss% = 37.5%.
Find the gain percentage if cost price is Rs.400 and selling price is Rs.500?
Show solution
Gain = 100. Gain% = 100/400 x 100 = 25%.
Amerchant has 1000 kg of sugar, part of which he sells at 8% profit and the rest at 18% profit. He gains 14% on the whole. The quantity sold at 18% profit is?
Show solution
By alligation: (18-14):(14-8) = 4:6 = 2:3 (8%:18%). Share at 18% = 3/5 x 1000 = 600 kg.
Daniyal sold a chair Rs.800 which he was bought for Rs.1000. What is his % loss?
Show solution
Loss = 200. Loss% = 200/1000 x 100 = 20%.
Akbar bought a sweater for Rs.200 and sold it Rs.250. How much profit did Akbar get?
Show solution
Profit = 250 – 200 = Rs. 50.
Sarwar Gujar bought a table for Rs.200 and sold it Rs.175. How much loss did Sarwar Gujar get?
Show solution
Loss = 200 – 175 = Rs. 25.
Rashid bought a shirt for Rs.350 and sold it Rs.300. How much loss did he get?
Show solution
Loss = 350 – 300 = Rs. 50.
Nasir bought a practical copy Rs.60 and sold it Rs.40. How much loss did he get?
Show solution
Loss = 60 – 40 = Rs. 20.
Muhammad Aslam bought a TV Rs.8000 and sold it Rs.7000. How much loss did he get?
Show solution
Loss = 8000 – 7000 = Rs. 1000.
Naveed Ahmed spends Rs.400 in getting a good table and sells it at Rs.600. Find the percentage of profit?
Show solution
Profit = 200. Profit% = 200/400 x 100 = 50%.
Alispends Rs.500 to get a good shirt and sells it at Rs.800. Find the percentage of Profit?
Show solution
Profit = 300. Profit% = 300/500 x 100 = 60%.
Sohail Khan sold a car Rs.80,000 which he was bought for Rs.90,000. What is his % loss?
Show solution
Loss = 10000. Loss% = 10000/90000 x 100 = 11.11%.
Akbar bought a sweater for Rs. 200 and sold it for Rs. 250. How much profit did Akbar get?
Show solution
Profit = 250 – 200 = Rs. 50.
Salaar bought a pair of shoes for Rs. 300 and sold it for Rs. 370. How much profit did Salaar make?
Show solution
Profit = 370 – 300 = Rs. 70.
Anwar bought a shirt for Rs. 500 and sold it for Rs. 525. What profit did Anwar get?
Show solution
Profit = 525 – 500 = Rs. 25.
Sohail sold his old car for Rs. 45,000. He had earlier bought it for Rs. 80,000. What is his percentage loss?
Show solution
Loss = 35000. Loss% = 35000/80000 x 100 = 43.75% ≈ 43.7%.
Aperson purchases 100 pens at a discount of 10%. The net amount of money spent by the person to purchase the pens is Rs 600. The selling expenses incurred by the person are 15% on the net cost price. What should be the selling price for 100 pens in order to earn a profit of 25%?
Show solution
Net CP = 600; selling expenses = 15% of 600 = 90; total cost = 690. SP for 25% profit on net CP = 600 x 1.25 + 90 = 750 + 112.5 = 862.50 (treating 25% on the 690 also gives 862.50).
Aman buys shirts at Rs. 80 each and sells them at Rs. 100 each. What percentage of profit does he make on the sale of each shirt?
Show solution
Profit = 20. Profit% = 20/80 x 100 = 25%.
The original price of a perfume is Rs. 250. The discount is allowed 25% in sale. What is the sale price?
Show solution
SP = 250 x 0.75 = Rs. 187.5.
Aman buys calculators at Rs. 120 each and sells them at Rs. 150 each. What percentage of profit does he make on the sale of each calculator?
Show solution
Profit = 30. Profit% = 30/120 x 100 = 25%.
Anarticle is bought for Rs 600 and sold for Rs 750. What is the profit percentage?
Show solution
Profit = 150. Profit% = 150/600 x 100 = 25%.
Profit & Loss MCQs for PPSC, FPSC, NTS & All Pakistani Competitive Exams
Profit & Loss is one of the highest-scoring topics in Pakistani competitive exam Math. From PPSC Lecturer, Sub-Inspector and Tehsildar tests to FPSC CSS Screening (MPT), NTS NAT/GAT, OTS, CTS, KPPSC, SPSC, BPSC and AJKPSC — almost every paper contains 2 to 6 profit, loss or discount MCQs. With just four core formulas (gain%, loss%, SP from CP, CP from SP) you can secure 3–6 marks in any One Paper exam.
QuizWing has compiled 112 verified profit & loss MCQs from real past papers spanning 2002–2025 — every question solved from scratch by AI and answer keys verified. The bank covers cost price & selling price problems, gain% & loss% calculations, discount & marked price problems, successive discounts, dishonest-dealer / false-weight problems, and partnership profit-sharing.
What types of profit & loss problems appear?
- Find gain% / loss% — “Bought at Rs. 60,000, sold at Rs. 66,000” → gain% = 6000/60000 × 100 = 10%
- SP from CP & gain% — “CP Rs. 800, gain 20%” → SP = 800 × 1.20 = Rs. 960
- CP from SP & gain/loss% — “SP Rs. 240, loss 20%” → CP = 240 / 0.80 = Rs. 300
- Discount problems — “MP Rs. 500, 20% discount” → SP = 500 × 0.80 = Rs. 400
- Markup + discount — Shopkeeper marks up by m% then gives d% discount; find net profit% on CP
- Successive discounts — Two discounts d₁ & d₂ are NOT additive; equivalent = d₁ + d₂ − d₁d₂/100
- Partnership profit share — Profit divided in ratio of (capital × time)
Key profit & loss formulas
Step-by-step solving checklist
- 1. Identify CP, SP, MP — read the question once and label every monetary value
- 2. Decide what’s asked — gain%, loss%, SP, CP, MP, or discount%
- 3. % base matters — gain%/loss% are ALWAYS on CP; discount% is ALWAYS on MP
- 4. Plug into the right formula — don’t memorise 12 formulas; the 4 in the box above cover 95% of MCQs
- 5. Watch the loss sign — if computed SP > CP but question says “loss”, you’ve made a sign error
- 6. Verify with rough estimation — 10% gain on Rs. 100 should give SP near Rs. 110
Mental-math shortcuts
- Scale CP = 100 — if CP = 100, gain% equals (SP − 100) directly. Always scale to CP = 100 mentally
- 10% trick — 10% of any amount = move decimal one place; 5% = half of that; 20% = double of 10%
- Successive discount ≠ sum — 20% then 10% is NOT 30%; it’s 28% (20 + 10 − 200/100)
- Plug-in for CP problems — if CP isn’t given, assume CP = Rs. 100 and compute everything in terms of it
- Dishonest dealer trick — selling at CP but using a false weight of W gm instead of 1000 gm gives gain% = (1000 − W)/W × 100
- Loss → SP < CP — sanity-check the direction before computing; rejects half the wrong options instantly
How to use this page for revision
Quiz mode: Tap any option — green = correct, red = wrong. Use the pagination buttons to move between sets of 25 MCQs at a time.
PDF download: Click Download PDF in the sticky bar to grab all 112 MCQs with answers for offline study.
Mixed practice: attempt our full PPSC Mock Test with all subjects + weighted distribution to simulate the real exam.
Profit & Loss weightage by exam
| Exam | Typical Profit & Loss MCQs | Marks Share |
|---|---|---|
| PPSC One Paper | 2–4 | 3–7 |
| FPSC Screening | 3–6 | 5–10 |
| NTS NAT / GAT | 4–8 | 7–13 |
| CSS Screening (MPT) | 4–7 | 8–14 |
| OTS / CTS | 3–5 | 5–9 |
| SPSC / KPPSC / BPSC | 2–4 | 3–7 |
All MCQs sourced from official past papers of PPSC, FPSC, SPSC, KPPSC and NTS. Found a wrong answer? WhatsApp 0302-1417839 — we fix every reported issue within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 2 to 4 profit & loss MCQs appear in every PPSC One Paper test (Sub-Inspector, Tehsildar, Junior Clerk, Lecturer, BPS-14/16/17). FPSC, NTS and CSS papers tend to include 3–6. Mastering CP, SP, gain% and loss% formulas secures 3–6 guaranteed marks because most questions are direct one-step applications.
Based on our analysis of 112 past-paper MCQs (2002–2025), the three most-recurring types are: (1) finding gain% / loss% given CP and SP, (2) finding SP from CP and a given gain%/loss% (or finding CP from SP and gain/loss%), and (3) discount problems where SP = MP × (1 − d%).
No. Calculators are not allowed in PPSC, FPSC, NTS, OTS or any provincial commission exam. Practise mental math shortcuts — 10%, 25%, 50% calculations should take under 5 seconds.
Yes for PPSC and FPSC — 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. Strategy: if you can eliminate 2 out of 4 options confidently, attempt it; otherwise leave blank.
Yes — click the Download PDF button in the sticky bar at the top of the quiz section. You get all 112 MCQs with answers in a branded QuizWing PDF, free, no signup.
Yes — 100% transferable. All provincial public service commissions follow a near-identical Math syllabus. The same profit & loss MCQs appear (often verbatim) in SPSC, KPPSC, BPSC, AJKPSC and NTS NAT/GAT papers.
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