Equal selling price on two items: +20% on one, −20% on the other A furniture seller sells two tables for ₹1500 each. He gains 20% on one table and loses 20% on the other. What is the net result over the two sales?

Introduction / Context:
Equal selling prices do not imply equal percentage outcomes, because the cost bases differ. Compute the cost for each table from its SP and percentage, then compare total SP and total CP to determine the overall result.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Table A: SP = ₹1500 with 20% gain.
• Table B: SP = ₹1500 with 20% loss.

Concept / Approach:
From SP = CP * (1 ± 0.20), recover each CP. Sum CPs and SPs and compute percentage change: (Total SP − Total CP)/Total CP * 100.

Step-by-Step Solution:
CP_A = 1500 / 1.20 = ₹1250.CP_B = 1500 / 0.80 = ₹1875.Total CP = 1250 + 1875 = ₹3125; Total SP = 1500 + 1500 = ₹3000.Net = 3000 − 3125 = −₹125 ⇒ Loss% = 125/3125 * 100 = 4% loss.

Verification / Alternative check:
Relative reasoning: +20% and −20% around different bases cannot cancel; the larger base (loss item) dominates, producing a net loss.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
4% profit and 'neither' ignore the base effect; 10% or 2% loss do not match the precise arithmetic.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming +20% and −20% cancel arithmetically; percentage changes must be applied multiplicatively to their respective bases.

Final Answer:
4% loss