Milk adulteration and pricing: a seller buys pure milk at Rs x per litre, mixes 2 L of water with every 6 L of milk (total 8 L), and sells the mixture at Rs 2x per litre. Compute the profit percentage on cost.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 166.66%

Explanation:


Introduction:
Adulteration problems require separating cost-bearing and cost-free components. Only milk costs money here; water is assumed free. Revenue is earned on the enlarged volume at the quoted selling rate.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Milk cost = Rs x per litre; water cost = Rs 0.
  • Mixture: 6 L milk + 2 L water = 8 L total.
  • Selling price of mixture = Rs 2x per litre.


Concept / Approach:
Total cost is from milk only. Total revenue is selling price times mixture volume. Profit% = (revenue − cost)/cost * 100.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Cost = 6 * x = 6xRevenue = 8 * (2x) = 16xProfit = 16x − 6x = 10xProfit% = 10x / 6x * 100 = 166.66...% (i.e., 166 2/3%)


Verification / Alternative check:
For x = 10, cost = 60, revenue = 160, profit = 100, which is 166.66...% of 60.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • 116% / 60% / 100%: all miscompute cost components or the enlarged volume.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Including water cost or computing profit% on revenue instead of cost.


Final Answer:
166.66%

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