Marked price and discount: On a 20% discount sale, an article costs ₹596. What was the original marked price?

Introduction / Context:
This is a reverse percentage calculation. After a 20% discount, the selling price (SP) is known; we must recover the marked price (MP) before discount. A direct proportion or dividing by the retention factor solves it cleanly.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Discount = 20% ⇒ retention factor = 0.80
• SP after discount = ₹596

Concept / Approach:
SP = MP * 0.80. Therefore, MP = SP / 0.80. Compute and round only if needed (here it divides exactly to ₹745).

Step-by-Step Solution:
SP = 0.80 * MP = ₹596MP = ₹596 / 0.80 = ₹745

Verification / Alternative check:
20% of ₹745 = ₹149; subtracting gives ₹596, confirming the calculation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Other values do not produce ₹596 after a 20% reduction; quick checks show mismatches in the final price.

Common Pitfalls:
Subtracting 20% of the final price instead of 20% of the marked price, or adding back 20% (which would overestimate).

Final Answer:
₹ 745