The marked price of a sofa set is Rs. 4800. It is sold for Rs. 3672 after two successive discounts, the first being 10 percent. What is the second discount percentage?

Introduction / Context:
This question is about successive discounts. Knowing how to work step by step from marked price to final selling price helps in determining unknown discount percentages when one discount and final price are given.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Marked price = Rs. 4800.
• First discount = 10 percent.
• Final selling price after two discounts = Rs. 3672.
• Second discount percentage is unknown.

Concept / Approach:
Apply the first discount on the marked price to obtain an intermediate price. Then assume the second discount as d percent on this intermediate price, and set the resulting expression equal to the given selling price. Solving for d gives the second discount percentage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Marked price MP = 4800.After first discount of 10 percent, price becomes 4800 * (1 - 0.10) = 4800 * 0.9 = 4320.Let second discount be d percent.Selling price SP = 4320 * (1 - d/100).Given SP = 3672.So 4320 * (1 - d/100) = 3672.Divide both sides by 4320: 1 - d/100 = 3672 / 4320 = 0.85.Therefore, d/100 = 1 - 0.85 = 0.15.So d = 15 percent.

Verification / Alternative check:
First discount: 10 percent on 4800 gives 480 reduction, new price 4320. Second discount: 15 percent on 4320 gives 0.15 * 4320 = 648 reduction. Final price is 4320 - 648 = 3672, which matches the given figure exactly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Discounts such as 13 percent, 14 percent or 17 percent do not convert 4320 into 3672. They would give selling prices that are either too high or too low compared with the required final price.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to treat successive discounts as a single discount equal to the sum of percentages. This does not hold because each discount applies to a different base. Always apply each percentage stepwise in the correct order.

Final Answer:
The second discount percentage is 15 percent.