Profit and Loss questions are a part of the Arithmetic topic in the IBPS PO exam quantitative aptitude section. There are different types of Profit and Loss questions asked in the IBPS PO exam every year. Most of the types of questions are generally repeated. 4 to 5 questions are generally asked in the exam from this topic. So, it becomes important to have a complete grasp on this topic. To solve Profit and loss questions, you need to understand the concept and remember the formulas. Below, we have provided a complete guide to solve these questions efficiently in your exam. Additionally, sample questions with detailed solutions free PDF are provided below.
Profit and Loss for IBPS PO 2025: Basic Concepts
To solve the questions from the Profit and Loss topic, you must first understand the key terms associated with it to solve them quickly. The basic concepts of Profit and Loss include: Cost Price (CP), Selling Price (SP), Profit or Gain, Loss, Marked Price (MP), Discount, Profit%, and Loss%. Knowing about the basic terms and their meanings helps in identifying the information provided in the question. Remember the basic terms and their meaning provided below and note them down for reference.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cost Price (CP) | The price at which an article is purchased |
| Selling Price (SP) | The price at which an article is sold |
| Profit or Gain | When SP > CP ⇒ Profit = SP − CP |
| Loss | When CP > SP ⇒ Loss = CP − SP |
| Marked Price (MP) | The price marked on the article (before discount) |
| Discount | Reduction on MP, often in % |
| Profit % / Loss % | Calculated on CP unless stated otherwise |
Profit and Loss Formulas for IBPS PO Exam
Note down and remember the formulas of Profit and Loss provided below to solve the questions.
Profit and Loss: Various Concepts asked in IBPS PO 2025
Conceptual variety of questions asked in IBPS PO is provided below. These include successive Profit and Loss, dishonest shopkeeper, marked price and discount, cost price/selling price based questions, percentage profit or percentage loss based questions, and articles sold and two different types of profit or losses types of questions.
- Successive Profit and Loss
- Use: {(100±a)(100±b)/100} − 100
- Example:
- Two successive profits of 10% and 20%
- ⇒ Net % Profit = {(110×120)/100} − 100 = 32%
- Dishonest Shopkeeper
- Mixing cheap item in costly one.
- Using false weights (selling 900 g instead of 1 kg)
- Marked Price and Discount
- Shopkeeper gives discount but still earns profit → SP = MP − Discount, then compare to CP
- Cost Price/Selling Price based on Profit/Loss
- SP is given with profit % or loss %, find CP using reverse formulas
- Article sold at two different profits/losses
- Find overall gain/loss % using weighted average or allegation method
Profit & Loss Sample Questions with Detailed Solutions for IBPS PO 2025
Profit and loss sample questions will help you practice different types of profit and loss questions. First, try to solve the questions provided here yourself using the formulas provided above. THe solutions for these questions are given in the PDF, and more questions for practice are also given. By solving these questions, you will be able to know the basic concepts of the Profit and Loss topic and understand which types of questions come in the exam. Download a Free PDF with detailed solutions from the link provided below:
Question 1:
A shopkeeper gave two successive discounts in an article in the ratio of 4:5, respectively and the individual discount is not more than 30%. If the overall discount given by shopkeeper is 40%, then find the selling price of the product, if the shopkeeper would have sold the article by giving only first discount, given the marked price of the article is Rs. 600.
A) Rs. 540
B) Rs. 550
C) Rs. 480
D) Rs. 500
E) None of these
Question 2:
A shopkeeper marked an article at 60% above the cost price and sold it after two consecutive discounts of 10% and 25%. Had he sold the article at a single discount of 30% instead of two discounts, he would have gained Rs. 272 more. Find the cost price of the article.
A) Rs. 6,200
B) Rs. 6,400
C) Rs. 6,600
D) Rs. 6,800
E) None of these
Question 3:
An article was sold at 24% profit. If the same article was sold at 24% loss then the shopkeeper would have earned Rs. 576 less. What was the marked price of the article if the shopkeeper marked the article at 87% above the cost price?
A) Rs. 2196
B) Rs. 2084
C) Rs. 2056
D) Rs. 2244
E) Rs. 2142
Question 4:
A shopkeeper sold an article for Rs. (x – 60) and thereby makes a loss of 20%. Had he sold the same article for Rs. (x + 30), he would have made same percentage of profit. Find the selling price of article to earn a profit of 40%.
A) Rs. 320
B) Rs. 240
C) Rs. 280
D) Rs. 315
E) None of these
Question 5:
Marked price of an article is Rs. 1008 more than its selling price. If the profit earned by the shopkeeper is 40% and marked price of article is 124% more than the cost price of the article, then find the cost price of the article.
A) Rs. 1250
B) Rs. 1000
C) Rs. 1200
D) Rs. 1400
E) Rs. 1500
Get detailed solutions in the PDF provided below!
Tips to Solve Profit and Loss Questions in IBPS PO Exam 2025
Below are the expert tips provided to deal with Profit and loss questions in the IBPS PO exam.
1. Memorize All Base Formulas
Use smart substitutions instead of re-calculating formulas in every step.
2. Work with Ratios
Sometimes, representing CP:SP in ratio helps solve without formulas.
3. Use Assumed Values (100 Rule)
Assume CP = 100 to easily calculate SP, Profit/Loss, etc., especially when only % is given.
4. Handle Discounts Carefully
For multiple discounts:
Net Discount% =a + b − {ab/100}
e.g., 20% and 10% ⇒ 28%
5. Avoid Repetition in Calculations
Pre-calculate percentage multipliers (e.g., 20% profit = ×1.2)
6. Watch for Misleading Words
Words like “gain on SP”, “loss on MP”, etc., change the base. Always confirm whether % is on CP or SP.
Profit and Loss Shortcuts
| Situation | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Profit % known, find SP | SP=CP×{100+P/100} |
| Loss % known, find SP | SP=CP×{100−L/100} |
| SP known, Profit % known | CP={SP×100/100+P} |
| SP known, Loss % known | CP={SP×100/100−L} |
| Discount + Profit | Net % = {x−y−xy/100} |
| Two SP equal (Gain and Loss same %) | Net Loss % = (Gain%/10)* (Gain%/10) |
IBPS PO Quantitative Aptitude Preparation Resources
We have provided a link to the available preparation resources for complete preparation of the Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS PO Prelims and Mains exam.
| IBPS PO Quant Tests Series | |
| Quant Topic Tests | Attempt Now |
| Quant Mini mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| Quant Sectional Mock Tests | Attempt Now |
| A Free Full-length Mock Test | Attempt Now |
| Complete Banking Quant Video Course | |
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Profit and Loss for IBPS PO Exam: FAQs
Marked Price (MP) is the price marked on the product or article before discount.
Discount = Marked Price (MP) – Selling Price (SP)
The marked price is also called the listed price.
Yes, questions from the profit and loss topic are included in the Data Interpretation topic.
In the IBPS PO Prelims exam, Profit and loss questions are of an easy to moderate level, but in the mains exam, they are included in DI sets and are of moderate to difficult level.
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