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Formula Vault Mathematics Arithmetic
Mathematics · Arithmetic

Profit Percentage

Profit expressed as a percentage of the cost price.

\text{Profit \%} = \dfrac{\text{Profit}}{\text{Cost Price}} \times 100

1What it means

Profit = Selling Price − Cost Price. Profit % is always taken on the cost price unless stated otherwise.

2Variables

SymbolMeaning
\text{Profit}Selling Price − Cost Price
\text{Cost Price}What it cost you (CP)

3Worked examples

Example 1 Worked solution
Q. An item bought for ₹400 is sold for ₹500. Find the profit %.
  1. Profit = 500 − 400 = 100.
  2. Profit % = (100 / 400) × 100.
  3. = 25.
✓ 25%

4Where it's used

  • Pricing, retail margins and trading problems.

5Tips & common mistakes

  • !Profit % is on CP; discount % is on marked price — keep the base straight.
  • !If SP < CP it is a loss; use the same formula with Loss.