An article is listed at Rs 2375. A man buys it after two successive discounts of 50% and 25% and then spends Rs 165 on repairs. If he finally sells the article at a profit of 62.5%, what is its selling price (in rupees)?

Introduction / Context:
This question combines multiple real life business ideas: successive discounts on the marked price, additional repair expenses, and then a target profit on the final effective cost. It tests whether you can track cost price correctly when several changes happen one after another and then convert a required profit percentage into a final selling price.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Marked price of the article is Rs 2375.
• Two successive discounts are given: first 50%, then 25% on the reduced price.
• Repair cost after purchase is Rs 165.
• The article is later sold at a profit of 62.5% on the total effective cost.
• We assume no other hidden costs or taxes.

Concept / Approach:
First we find the price actually paid to buy the article after applying both discounts on the marked price. Then we add the repair cost to get the effective cost price. Once we know the effective cost price, we use the profit formula: SP = CP * (1 + profit_percent / 100). Here profit percentage is 62.5%, which is equal to 62.5 / 100 = 0.625, so the multiplier is 1.625.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Marked price (MP) = Rs 2375.After first discount of 50%, price becomes 2375 * (1 - 0.50) = 2375 * 0.50 = Rs 1187.50.After second discount of 25% on Rs 1187.50, price becomes 1187.50 * (1 - 0.25) = 1187.50 * 0.75 = Rs 890.625.Repair cost added = Rs 165, so effective cost price = 890.625 + 165 = Rs 1055.625.Required profit = 62.5%, so selling price SP = 1055.625 * (1 + 62.5 / 100) = 1055.625 * 1.625.SP = Rs 1715.390625, which rounds to Rs 1715.39.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by computing the profit amount directly: Profit = SP - CP = 1715.39 - 1055.625 ≈ 659.765. Now 659.765 / 1055.625 * 100 is approximately 62.5%. The minor difference is only due to rounding at the paise level. This confirms that the selling price of Rs 1715.39 is consistent with a 62.5% profit on the effective cost price.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Values like 1467.60, 1492.60 or 1632.80 correspond to much smaller profit percentages when compared with the effective cost price of about Rs 1055.63. None of them reach close to 62.5% profit. Only 1715.39 gives a profit percentage that matches the condition in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often apply both discounts directly as a single percentage or forget that the second discount is applied on the already reduced price. Another common mistake is to ignore the repair cost when calculating the cost price, which leads to an underestimation of the required selling price. Always remember to include all costs before applying the profit percentage.

Final Answer:
The required selling price of the article is Rs 1715.39.