Books are bought at prices between Rs. 200 and Rs. 350 each and are sold at prices between Rs. 300 and Rs. 425 each. What is the maximum possible total profit that can be made by selling eight books under these conditions?

Introduction / Context:
This problem asks for the greatest possible profit when buying and selling items within given price ranges. It is a typical optimization question in profit and loss where you must choose the most favorable buying and selling prices within the allowed bounds.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Cost price of each book lies between Rs. 200 and Rs. 350.
• Selling price of each book lies between Rs. 300 and Rs. 425.
• Total number of books traded = 8.
• We are asked to find the maximum possible total profit.

Concept / Approach:
To maximize profit, the trader should buy each book at the lowest possible cost price and sell each book at the highest possible selling price within the given ranges. The profit per book is the difference between selling price and cost price. Then multiply maximum profit per book by the total number of books to get the maximum total profit.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Lowest possible cost price per book = Rs. 200. Highest possible selling price per book = Rs. 425. Maximum profit per book = 425 - 200 = Rs. 225. Number of books = 8. Maximum total profit = 225 * 8. 225 * 8 = 1800 rupees.

Verification / Alternative check:
If any book is bought at more than Rs. 200 or sold for less than Rs. 425, profit per book decreases. Hence choosing cost price strictly greater than 200 or selling price strictly less than 425 can never give a higher total profit than 225 rupees per book. Therefore the maximum profit configuration is indeed cost price at 200 and selling price at 425 for all eight books.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
800 and 1200 and 1600: These profits would arise if the price difference between buying and selling was smaller than the maximum 225 per book. Given the allowed ranges, the largest possible gap is 225 rupees, so any total profit smaller than 1800 rupees is suboptimal.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates incorrectly try to average the bounds instead of choosing extremes. Others think that cost and selling prices must be equal for all books or that there are constraints not mentioned in the problem. Unless stated otherwise, you are free to use the best-case combination within the given ranges to maximize profit.

Final Answer:
The maximum possible profit on eight books is Rs. 1800.