50 Most Expected Profit & Loss Questions for AFCAT 2026 with Answers & Shortcut Tricks

Important Profit & Loss Formulas

• Cost Price (CP): The price at which an article is purchased.
• Selling Price (SP): The price at which an article is sold.
• Profit: Profit = SP − CP
• Loss: Loss = CP − SP 
• Profit Percentage: Profit % = (Profit ÷ CP) × 100
•  Loss Percentage: Loss % = (Loss ÷ CP) × 100
• Selling Price (Profit): SP = CP × (100 + Profit%) ÷ 100 
• Selling Price (Loss): SP = CP × (100 − Loss%) ÷ 100

AFCAT Shortcut Tricks

• 20% Profit - Multiply CP by 1.20
• 25% Profit - Multiply CP by 1.25 
• 10% Loss - Multiply CP by 0.90
• 20% Loss - Multiply CP by 0.80

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A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹800 and sells it for ₹960. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 15%
• B. 18%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

Solution

• Profit = 960 − 800 = ₹160
• Profit % = (160 ÷ 800) × 100 = 20%

Shortcut

• Whenever SP is 120% of CP, profit is 20%.

A trader purchases an article for ₹1,500 and sells it at a loss of 10%. Find the selling price.

• A. ₹1,300
• B. ₹1,350
• C. ₹1,400
• D. ₹1,450

Solution

• Selling Price = 90% of ₹1,500 = ₹1,350

A shopkeeper sells an article for ₹2,400 after earning a 20% profit. Find the Cost Price.

• A. ₹1,800
• B. ₹2,000
• C. ₹2,100
• D. ₹2,200

Solution

• CP = (2400 × 100) ÷ 120 = ₹2,000

Shortcut

• CP = SP ×100 ÷ (100 + Profit%)

A bicycle is purchased for ₹6,000 and sold for ₹5,400. Find the loss percentage.

• A. 8%
• B. 10%
• C. 12%
• D. 15%

Solution

• Loss = 600
• Loss % = (600 ÷ 6000) ×100 = 10%

An article costing ₹2,000 is sold at a 25% profit. Find the selling price.

• A. ₹2,300
• B. ₹2,400
• C. ₹2,500
• D. ₹2,600

Solution

• SP = 2000 ×125% = ₹2,500

Most Profit & Loss questions can be solved within 20–30 seconds if you remember the percentage formulas instead of performing lengthy calculations.

A trader purchases an item for ₹4,000 and sells it for ₹5,000. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 25%
• C. 30%
• D. 35%

Solution

• Profit = ₹1,000
• Profit % = (1000 ÷4000) ×100 = 25%

An article is sold for ₹1,800 after a 10% loss. Find the Cost Price.

• A. ₹1,900
• B. ₹2,000
• C. ₹2,100
• D. ₹2,200

Solution

• CP =1800 ×100 ÷90 = ₹2,000

A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹2,500 and earns ₹500 profit. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 15%
• B. 18%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

A trader incurs a 15% loss on an article costing ₹3,000. Find the selling price.

• A. ₹2,450
• B. ₹2,500
• C. ₹2,550
• D. ₹2,700

A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹1,200 and sells it for ₹1,500. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 22%
• C. 25%
• D. 30%

Solution

• Profit = ₹300
• Profit % = (300 ÷1200) ×100 = 25%

A shopkeeper buys an article for ₹2,400 and marks it 25% above the cost price. He allows a 10% discount to the customer. Find his profit percentage.

• A. 10%
• B. 12.5%
• C. 15%
• D. 18%

Solution

• Cost Price = ₹2,400
• Marked Price = 2400 × 125% = ₹3,000
• Selling Price = 3000 × 90% = ₹2,700
• Profit = 2700 − 2400 = ₹300
• Profit % = (300 ÷ 2400) × 100 = 12.5%

Shortcut

• SP = CP × (1 + Markup%) × (1 − Discount%) = 1.25 × 0.90 = 1.125 ⇒ Profit = 12.5%

A trader purchases an article for ₹1,800 and sells it at a 20% profit. Find the selling price.

• A. ₹2,100
• B. ₹2,160
• C. ₹2,200
• D. ₹2,250

Solution

• SP = 1800 × 120% = ₹2,160

An article is sold for ₹2,800 after giving a 20% discount. Find the marked price.

• A. ₹3,200
• B. ₹3,400
• C. ₹3,500
• D. ₹3,600

Solution

• Marked Price = 2800 ×100 ÷80 = ₹3,500

A trader purchases an item for ₹5,000 and sells it for ₹4,250. Find the loss percentage.

• A. 12%
• B. 15%
• C. 18%
• D. 20%

Solution

• Loss = 5000 − 4250 = ₹750
• Loss % = (750 ÷ 5000) ×100 = 15%

A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above the cost price and gives a 20% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 10%
• B. 12%
• C. 15%
• D. 20%

Solution

• Net Selling Price = 140% × 80% = 112%
• Profit = 12%

Shortcut

• 1.40 × 0.80 = 1.12 ⇒ Profit =

• 12%

Whenever Markup and Discount are given: SP = CP × (100 + Markup)% × (100 − Discount)% This avoids lengthy calculations.

A trader sells an article for ₹3,300 after earning 10% profit. Find the cost price.

• A. ₹2,900
• B. ₹3,000
• C. ₹3,100
• D. ₹3,200

Solution

• CP = 3300 ×100 ÷110 = ₹3,000

The cost price of an article is ₹4,800It is sold at a 25% loss. Find the selling price.

• A. ₹3,500
• B. ₹3,600
• C. ₹3,700
• D. ₹3,800

Solution

• SP = 4800 ×75% = ₹3,600

An article costing ₹2,000 is sold for ₹2,500. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 22%
• C. 25%
• D. 30%

Solution

• Profit = ₹500
• Profit % = (500 ÷2000) ×100 = 25%

A shopkeeper purchases an article for ₹6,000 and marks it at 50% above cost price. He allows a 20% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 15%
• B. 18%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

Solution

• MP = 6000 ×150% = ₹9,000
• SP = 9000 ×80% = ₹7,200
• Profit = ₹1,200
• Profit % = (1200 ÷6000) ×100 = 20%

Shortcut

• 1.50 × 0.80 = 1.20 ⇒ Profit = 20%

A trader purchases an article for ₹8,000. He marks it 30% above the cost price and offers a 10% discount. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 15%
• B. 16%
• C. 17%
• D. 18%

Solution

• Marked Price = 8000 ×130% = ₹10,400
• Selling Price = 10,400 ×90% = ₹9,360
• Profit = 9,360 − 8,000 = ₹1,360
• Profit % = (1360 ÷8000) ×100 = 17%

Shortcut

• 1.30 ×0.90 = 1.17 ⇒ Profit = 17%

A shopkeeper marks an article 50% above the cost price and gives a 20% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 15%
• B. 18%
• C. 20%
• D. 25%

Solution

• Assume Cost Price = ₹100
• Marked Price = ₹150
• Selling Price = 150 × 80% = ₹120
• Profit = ₹20
• Profit % = 20%

Shortcut

• SP = CP × 1.50 × 0.80 = 1.20 ⇒ Profit = 20%

 An article is sold for ₹4,800 after earning a 20% profit. Find the cost price.

•  A. ₹3,800
•  B. ₹4,000
•  C. ₹4,200
•  D. ₹4,500

Solution

• CP = 4800 ×100 ÷120 = ₹4,000

A trader buys an article for ₹6,000 and sells it at a 15% loss. Find the selling price.

•  A. ₹5,000
•  B. ₹5,100
•  C. ₹5,200
•  D. ₹5,300

Solution

• SP = 6000 ×85% = ₹5,100

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A shopkeeper purchases an article for ₹2,500 and marks it 60% above the cost price. He offers a 25% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 18%
• B. 20%
• C. 22%
• D. 25%

Solution

• SP = 1.60 ×0.75 =1.20
• Profit = 20%

 A trader earns 25% profit by selling an article for ₹5,000. Find the cost price.

•  A. ₹3,800
•  B. ₹4,000
•  C. ₹4,200
•  D. ₹4,500

Solution

• CP =5000 ×100 ÷125 = ₹4,000

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To find Cost Price quickly: CP = SP ×100 ÷ (100 + Profit%)

For Loss: CP = SP ×100 ÷ (100 − Loss%)

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A shopkeeper marks an article 25% above cost price but gives 10% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 10%
• B. 12.5%
• C. 15%
• D. 18%

Solution

• 1.25 ×0.90 =1.125
• Profit = 12.5%

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An article costing ₹8,000 is sold for ₹9,600. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 18%
• B. 20%
• C. 22%
• D. 25%

Solution

• Profit =₹1,600
• Profit % =(1600 ÷8000)×100 = 20%

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A shopkeeper claims to sell goods at Cost Price, but uses a 900 g weight instead of 1 kg. Find his profit percentage.

• A. 10%
• B. 11.11%
• C. 12.5%
• D. 15%

Solution

• He charges for 1000 g but delivers only 900 g.
• Profit % = (100 ÷900) ×100 = 11.11%

Shortcut

• Profit % = (Short Weight ÷ Actual Weight) ×100 =100 ÷900 ×100

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A trader buys an article for ₹7,500 and sells it for ₹9,000. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 18%
• B. 20%
• C. 22%
• D. 25%

Solution

• Profit =₹1,500
• Profit % =(1500 ÷7500)×100 = 20%

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A shopkeeper marks an article 80% above the cost price and gives 20% discount followed by an additional 10% discount. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 25%
• B. 28%
• C. 29.6%
• D. 32%

Solution

• Successive Discounts
• 80% ×90% =72%
• Selling Price =180% ×72% =129.6%
• Profit =129.6 −100 = 29.6%

Shortcut

• SP Factor =1.80 ×0.80 ×0.90 =1.296
• Profit = 29.6%

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Remember these quick multipliers:

Profit/Loss	Multiply CP By
10% Profit	1.10
15% Profit	1.15
20% Profit	1.20
25% Profit	1.25
10% Loss	0.90
15% Loss	0.85
20% Loss	0.80
25% Loss	0.75

A shopkeeper marks an article 40% above the cost price and allows a 10% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 24%
• B. 25%
• C. 26%
• D. 28%

Solution

• Assume Cost Price = ₹100
• Marked Price = ₹140
• Selling Price = ₹140 × 90% = ₹126
• Profit = ₹26
• Profit % = 26%

Shortcut

• SP = 1.40 × 0.90 = 1.26
• Profit = 26%

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An article is sold for ₹7,200 after earning a 20% profit. Find the Cost Price.

• A. ₹5,800
• B. ₹6,000
• C. ₹6,200
• D. ₹6,500

Solution

• CP = 7200 ×100 ÷120 = ₹6,000

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A trader purchases an article for ₹9,000 and sells it at a 12% loss. Find the Selling Price.

• A. ₹7,800
• B. ₹7,920
• C. ₹8,000
• D. ₹8,100

Solution

• SP = 9000 ×88% = ₹7,920

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A shopkeeper marks an article 50% above cost price and gives 10% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 30%
• B. 35%
• C. 40%
• D. 45%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor = 1.50 ×0.90 = 1.35
• Profit = 35%

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An article costing ₹3,200 is sold at 25% profit. Find the Selling Price.

• A. ₹3,800
• B. ₹3,900
• C. ₹4,000
• D. ₹4,100

Solution

SP = 3200 ×125% = ₹4,000

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• Whenever Profit = 25%
• Selling Price = 1.25 × Cost Price
• No lengthy calculation required.

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A trader marks an article 25% above the Cost Price but gives 20% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. No Profit No Loss
• B. 2% Loss
• C. 4% Loss
• D. 5% Profit

Solution

• Selling Price Factor =1.25 ×0.80 =1.00
• Therefore, Selling Price = Cost Price
• No Profit, No Loss

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A trader purchases an article for ₹5,500 and sells it for ₹6,875. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 22%
• C. 25%
• D. 28%

Solution

• Profit = ₹1,375
• Profit % =(1375 ÷5500)×100 = 25%

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A dishonest shopkeeper uses a 950 g weight instead of 1 kg while selling goods at Cost Price. Find his profit percentage.

• A. 5%
• B. 5.26%
• C. 5.50%
• D. 6%

Solution

• Short Weight =1000−950 =50 g
• Profit % =(50 ÷950)×100 = 5.26%

Shortcut

• Profit % = Short Weight ÷ Actual Weight ×100

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A trader buys an article for ₹4,000 and marks it 60% above Cost Price. He allows a 25% discount. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 18%
• B. 20%
• C. 22%
• D. 25%

Solution

• SP Factor =1.60 ×0.75 =1.20
• Profit = 20%

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An article is marked 100% above Cost Price. A shopkeeper offers 20% discount followed by another 20% discount. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 25%
• C. 28%
• D. 32%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor =2.00 ×0.80 ×0.80 =1.28
• Selling Price =128% of Cost Price
• Profit = 28%

Double Discount

• 80% ×80% =64%
• Selling Price =200% ×64% =128%
• Profit = 28%

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Profit: Profit = SP − CP

Loss: Loss = CP − SP

Profit %: Profit ÷ CP ×100

Loss %: Loss ÷ CP ×100

Selling Price: SP = CP × (100 ± Percentage) ÷100

Marked Price Formula: SP = MP × (100 − Discount%) ÷100

A trader purchases an article for ₹8,000 and marks it 25% above the Cost Price. He gives a 10% discount. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 10%
• B. 12.5%
• C. 15%
• D. 18%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor = 1.25 × 0.90 = 1.125
• Profit = 12.5%

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An article is sold for ₹9,600 after earning a 20% profit. Find the Cost Price.

• A. ₹7,800
• B. ₹8,000
• C. ₹8,200
• D. ₹8,400

Solution

• CP = 9600 ×100 ÷120 = ₹8,000

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A trader buys an article for ₹5,600 and sells it at a 15% profit. Find the Selling Price.

• A. ₹6,220
• B. ₹6,360
• C. ₹6,440
• D. ₹6,500

Solution

• SP = 5600 ×115% = ₹6,440

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A shopkeeper marks an article 80% above Cost Price and allows a 25% discount. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 30%
• B. 32%
• C. 35%
• D. 40%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor = 1.80 ×0.75 = 1.35
• Profit = 35%

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An article costing ₹4,500 is sold at a 20% loss. Find the Selling Price.

• A. ₹3,500
• B. ₹3,600
• C. ₹3,700
• D. ₹3,800

Solution

• SP = 4500 ×80% = ₹3,600

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Remember these quick multipliers:

• 10% Profit → ×1.10
• 15% Profit → ×1.15
• 20% Profit → ×1.20
• 25% Profit → ×1.25
• 10% Loss → ×0.90
• 20% Loss → ×0.80
• 25% Loss → ×0.75

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A dishonest shopkeeper sells goods at Cost Price but uses a 800 g weight instead of 1 kg. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 22%
• C. 25%
• D. 30%

Solution

• Profit % = (1000 −800) ÷800 ×100 = 200 ÷800 ×100 = 25%

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An article is marked 60% above Cost Price. A discount of 20% is allowed. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 24%
• B. 26%
• C. 28%
• D. 30%

Solution

• SP Factor =1.60 ×0.80 =1.28
• Profit = 28%

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A trader purchases an article for ₹12,000 and sells it for ₹15,000. Find the profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 22%
• C. 25%
• D. 30%

Solution

• Profit = ₹3,000
• Profit % =(3000 ÷12000)×100 = 25%

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A shopkeeper marks an article 100% above Cost Price and gives successive discounts of 10% and 20%. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 40%
• B. 42%
• C. 44%
• D. 46%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor =2.00 ×0.90 ×0.80 =1.44
• Selling Price =144% of Cost Price
• Profit = 44%

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A trader purchases an article for ₹10,000. He marks it 50% above Cost Price and offers two successive discounts of 10% each. Find the final profit percentage.

• A. 20%
• B. 21.5%
• C. 22.5%
• D. 23%

Solution

• Selling Price Factor =1.50 ×0.90 ×0.90 =1.215
• Selling Price =121.5% of Cost Price
• Profit = 21.5%

Shortcut

• Use multiplication directly: Markup × Discount₁ × Discount₂ =1.50 ×0.90 ×0.90 =1.215 ⇒ Profit = 21.5%