Aptitude - Profit and Loss - Discussion

The Cost price be 'x'
So that the cost price of 17 balls is 17x.
And the cost prince of 5 balls is 5x.
While selling 17 balls at Rs.720 he is incurring loss equal to cost price of 5 balls.
So that the equation is 17x-720 = 5x,
12x = 720
x = R.60/-

@All.

Assume a variable x which will represent the cost price of a single ball. Since 17 balls were sold, the cost price of these 17 balls will be 17x.

The loss will be given by subtracting the selling price of 17 balls from the cost price of 17 balls. This loss is equal to the cost price of 5 balls i.e. 5x.

Using this, we can form an equation in x which can be solved to find the value of x.

If it is given that a product is sold at a loss, then this loss can be found by subtracting the selling price of the product from the cost price of the product ----> (1).

In the question, it is given that on selling 17 balls at Rs 720, there is a loss that is equal to the cost price of 5 balls. We are required to find the cost price of a single ball. Let us assume that the cost price of a single ball is x.

So, the cost price of the 17 balls will be 17x. Since the selling price is Rs 720, using formula (1), the loss is equal to,
17x – 720.

It is given in the question that this loss is equal to the cost price of 5 balls i.e. 5x.

So, we can say,
17x – 720 = 5x.
12x = 720.
x = 60.

By selling 17 balls at 720, there is loss equal to CP of 5 balls,
17 balls sold means he must have purchased 17 balls.
Loss is equal to CP of 5 balls.
loss = CP - SP.
5 x CP = 17 x CP - 17 x SP,
5 CP - 17 CP = - 17 SP,
- 12 CP = - 17 SP,
12 CP = 720 ......(17 balls sold at 720 rs)
CP = 720/12,
CP = 60.

Here, the Difference = 12.
12 = 720.
1 = 60.
Rs. 60.

Well explained, Thanks @Manasa.

Convert it to ratio for simplification.
S.p of ball : cp of balls.
17 : 5.

Loss then 17-5 = 12,
= 720/12,
= 60.

Thanks for explaining @Manasa.

Thanks @Manasa.

Simplest ans:

CP - SP = Loss.

Assuming x = CP of 1 ball.
(x * 17) - 720 = 5x.
x = 60.

Thanks @Manasa!