Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
A man sold an article for ₹330 by first giving a d% discount on its marked price, and then another discount having the same nominal value (in ₹). If the marked price of the article is ₹1320, then what is the value of d?
38.4
41.1
36.9
37.5
37.5
Since the two discounts are equal, the total discount is ₹(1320 - 330) = ₹990. Each discount is ₹495. The first discount is d% of 1320 = 495. Calculate d = (495/1320) * 100 = 37.5%.
Marked Price (MP) = ₹1320, Selling Price (SP) = ₹330. Two successive discounts are equal in nominal value (₹X each).
SP=MP−2×(100d×MP)+(100d)2×MP
Since the two discounts are equal, the total discount is ₹(1320 - 330) = ₹990. Each discount is ₹495. The first discount is d% of 1320 = 495. Calculate d = (495/1320) * 100 = 37.5%.
Students often wrongly assume the second discount is calculated on the already discounted price, leading to complex quadratic equations, whereas the question specifies the 'same nominal value' (same absolute ₹ amount).
Calculate Total Discount
The total discount given on the article is the difference between the Marked Price and the Selling Price: 1320−330=990.
Total Discount=990
Equate Nominal Values
Since two equal discounts of value X were given, each discount must be half of the total: X=990/2=495.
X=495
Find the percentage d
The first discount is d% of the Marked Price, which equals the first discount amount (X): 100d×1320=495.
d=1320495×100
Solve for d
Dividing 495 by 1320: 495/1320=0.375. Converting to percentage: 0.375×100=37.5.
d=37.5
D is correct because the nominal value of each discount is ₹495, which represents 37.5% of the marked price ₹1320.
This concept is a variation of simple percentage problems; always identify whether a discount is on the base MP or a reduced price. In exams, 'nominal value' means absolute currency amount.