The price of a commodity which was ₹ 250 three years ago is ₹ 2000 now. The annual rate of increase in the price is
Aptitude
Percentage
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A100%
-
B200%
-
C266 2/3%
-
DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: 100%
Explanation
### Concept & Formula
To find the uniform annual percentage rate of increase over multiple years, we use the compound growth formula.
$$ \text{Final Price} = \text{Initial Price} \times \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^n $$
By setting up the ratio of the final price to the initial price, we can extract the rate by taking the $n$-th root.
### Step-by-Step Solution
* **Given:**
Initial Price ($P_{initial}$) = $₹ 250$
Final Price ($P_{final}$) = $₹ 2000$
Time period ($n$) = $3\text{ years}$
* **Set up the compound growth equation:**
$$ 2000 = 250 \times \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 $$
* **Isolate the growth multiplier:**
$$ \frac{2000}{250} = \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 $$
$$ 8 = \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 $$
* **Solve for the annual rate ($R$):**
We need to find the cube root of $8$. We know that $2^3 = 8$.
$$ 2^3 = \left(1 + \frac{R}{100}\right)^3 $$
Taking the cube root of both sides:
$$ 2 = 1 + \frac{R}{100} $$
$$ 2 - 1 = \frac{R}{100} $$
$$ 1 = \frac{R}{100} $$
$$ R = 100\% $$
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
**The Multiplier Root Method:**
Find the overall multiplier instantly: $2000 \div 250 = 8$.
The price became $8$ times its original value over $3$ years.
For $n = 3$, take the cube root: $\sqrt[3]{8} = 2$.
A multiplier of $2$ means the price doubles every year.
When a value doubles every year, the rate of increase is exactly $100\%$.
This calculation can be done entirely in your head in 5 seconds.
### Common Pitfall
Students often calculate the total percentage increase and erroneously divide it by the number of years.
Total increase = $2000 - 250 = 1750$.
Percentage increase = $(\frac{1750}{250}) \times 100 = 700\%$.
Dividing $700\%$ by 3 yields $233.33\%$, which is mathematically incorrect because it ignores the compounding effect of the growing base price each year.
### Final Answer
**Therefore, the correct answer is 100%.**