Fresh vs dry grapes — Dry grapes contain 25% water and fresh grapes contain 80% water. Akram Miya has 20 kg of dry grapes. He adds water (free) so that the mixture now matches the fresh-grape water proportion (80%), and then sells the entire mixture at the same cost price per kg as dry grapes. What is his total profit percentage?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 275%

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a water-content (concentration) and profit question. The key is that the solid grape matter is conserved; adding water increases weight without adding cost. Selling at the dry-grape cost price per kg on the heavier hydrated lot creates profit due purely to the extra water weight.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Dry grapes: 25% water ⇒ 75% solids.
  • Fresh-equivalent target: 80% water ⇒ 20% solids.
  • Initial mass of dry grapes = 20 kg (cost incurred on these 20 kg only).
  • Added water is free; selling rate per kg remains the dry-grape cost price.


Concept / Approach:
Solids are constant during hydration. Let S be solids (kg). In the dry lot, S = 0.75 * 20. After adding water, the final mix has S as 20% of total weight W_final. Solve W_final from S = 0.20 * W_final, then compare revenue vs cost at the same per-kg rate.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Solids in 20 kg dry = 0.75 * 20 = 15 kg.At fresh-like level, solids fraction = 20% ⇒ 15 = 0.20 * W_final ⇒ W_final = 75 kg.He sells 75 kg at the dry-grape cost rate, but he actually paid only for 20 kg.Profit factor on cost = (75 − 20) / 20 = 55 / 20 = 2.75.Profit% = 2.75 * 100 = 275%.


Verification / Alternative check:
If cost rate is r per kg (for dry), cost = 20r. Revenue = 75r. Profit = 55r ⇒ Profit% = 55r / 20r * 100 = 275%. The value is independent of r.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
200%, 125%, 160%, and 80% come from incorrect solids calculations or from assuming the final water is 80% of 20 kg instead of solving via conserved solids.


Common Pitfalls:
Treating “80% water” as “add 60% water” on the initial mass. Always conserve solids to find the correct final weight when water is added.


Final Answer:
275%

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