SSC CGL Quant · Study & Practice

Percentage, Profit & Loss

AreaArithmetic DifficultyEasy–Moderate SSC weightage5–7 questions (Tier 1 & Tier 2)

Percentage is the language of SSC arithmetic — profit and loss, discount, data interpretation and even ratio all speak it. Treat a percentage as a fraction (25% = 1/4, 12.5% = 1/8) and most sums collapse to one line. Profit and loss then layer on three prices — cost, marked and selling — with the single golden rule that profit and loss percent are ALWAYS taken on the cost price. Master the multiplier idea (a 20% rise means x 1.2) and you will out-pace the calculator.

Topics

1 Percentage Basics & Conversions 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 2 Percentage Change 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 3 Profit, Loss & Cost Price 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 4 Discount & Marked Price 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start →

⚡ SSC shortcuts & speed methods

The fastest ways to crack this chapter under time pressure — the techniques that separate a 95+ percentiler from the rest.

  • Memorise fraction equivalents: 12.5%=1/8, 16.66%=1/6, 33.33%=1/3, 6.25%=1/16.
  • a% up then a% down = net (a^2/100)% loss.
  • Profit% and loss% are on COST; discount% is on MARKED price.
  • Mark-up then discount: SP = CP x (1 + m%) x (1 - d%).
  • Two discounts d1, d2 -> single = d1 + d2 - d1 d2 / 100.

⚠️ Common mistakes & traps

SSC is designed so that careless errors here cost you marks. Internalise each trap before the exam.

  • Taking profit% on the selling price instead of the cost price.
  • Adding two successive discounts (20% + 25% is NOT 45%).
  • Forgetting an a%-up then a%-down leaves a net loss, not zero.
  • Confusing marked price with cost price in mark-up sums.

📈 SSC exam insight & PYQ analysis

SSC mixes percentage with profit-loss and DI every cycle. A classic Tier-2 pattern: mark goods x% above cost, give a discount, and still earn a stated profit — set up CP = 100 and solve for the unknown.

🎴 Flashcards — instant recall

Tap a card to reveal the answer. Drill these until they are automatic.

37.5% as a fraction?Tap to reveal
3/8
Profit% formula?Tap to reveal
(SP - CP)/CP x 100
Net of +20% then -20%?Tap to reveal
4% decrease
Two discounts 20% & 25% = single?Tap to reveal
40%
SP if CP 250 and 8% gain?Tap to reveal
270

📌 Quick revision

Convert percentages to fractions, chain changes by multiplying factors, and remember profit/loss are on cost while discount is on marked price. Mark-up-then-discount problems reduce to CP x (1 + m%) x (1 - d%). These rules cover the highest-frequency SSC arithmetic block.

Chapter test

📝 Percentage, Profit & Loss — Chapter Test
25 fresh questions · timed · full solutions
Start chapter test →
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🏆 Vidaara SSC success checklist

You have truly mastered Percentage, Profit & Loss when you can tick every box below.

  • Recall every formula in this chapter without looking them up
  • Solve each topic’s practice set with at least 80% accuracy
  • Use the chapter shortcuts to cut your solving time in half
  • Spot and avoid every common trap listed above
  • Score 80%+ on the timed chapter test

📋 Chapter mastery scorecard

Track where you stand. Aim for the target before moving to the next chapter.

Skill checkpointTarget
Concept theory & formulas understood100%
Topic practice sets attempted (4 topics)4/4
Best topic-test score— → 80%+
Chapter test score— → 80%+
Flashcards drilled to instant recall5 cards