Profit and Loss Question 2 - CAT 2020
Question
A person spent Rs. 50,000 to purchase a desktop computer and a laptop computer. He sold the desktop at 20% profit and the laptop at 10% loss. If overall he made a 2% profit, then the purchase price, in rupees, of the desktop is:
Step-by-Step Explanation
This problem is solved most efficiently using the rule of Alligation, which links individual component changes to the net global change.- Desktop profit: +20%
- Laptop loss: -10%
- Overall transaction profit: +2%
💡 FundaMakers Tip:
Whenever a question splits a total sum into two categories with separate percentage increases or decreases and gives you a net combined percentage result, always use alligation. It bypasses the need to set up and solve simultaneous equations, yielding the direct weight ratio instantly.