Two-thirds of a consignment was sold at a profit of 6% and the rest at a loss of 3%. If however there was an overall profit of ₹ 540, the value of consignment was
Aptitude
Profit and Loss
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
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A₹ 15000
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B₹ 16000
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C₹ 18000
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DNone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: ₹ 18000
Explanation
### Concept & Weighted Profit
The overall profit or loss on a consignment can be calculated by summing the profit or loss from each fractional part.
$$ \text{Overall Profit} = P_1 + P_2 - L_3 \dots $$
### Step-by-Step Solution
* Let the total value of the consignment be $x$.
* Profit on two-thirds of the consignment: $\frac{2}{3}x \times 6\% = 0.04x$.
* The rest of the consignment is $1 - \frac{2}{3} = \frac{1}{3}$.
* Loss on the remaining one-third: $\frac{1}{3}x \times 3\% = 0.01x$.
* Overall Profit = Profit - Loss = $0.04x - 0.01x = 0.03x$.
* We are given that the overall profit is ₹ 540.
* Equating them: $0.03x = 540 \Rightarrow x = \frac{540}{0.03} = 18000$.
### Exam Strategy & Shortcut
Use an assumed value like $x = 300$ for easy fraction division. $\frac{2}{3}$ of 300 is 200 (6% profit = +12). $\frac{1}{3}$ of 300 is 100 (3% loss = -3). Net = +9. If net profit is 9, total is 300. Since actual profit is 540 ($9 \times 60$), total is $300 \times 60 = 18000$.
### Common Pitfall
Adding the percentages directly without weighting them by their respective fractional amounts of the consignment.
### Final Answer
Therefore, the correct answer is **₹ 18000**.