Thread: Simple Percentage Logic

w = wholesale, s = selling
w(1 + 4/3) = s

s(1 + x) = w
1 + x = w/s
x = w/s - 1

Example:
120(1 + 4/3) = 280

x = 120/280 - 1 = -.57142... : so loss of ~57%

incorrect

Harry bought it for say 133+1/3 dollars and sold it for 100 dollars. (1/3 dollar isn't an actual amount, but all we care about is the ratio.)

100 is 3/4 of 133+1/3. So he incurred a 25% loss.

Well, ain't spending time looking for a play on words;

.57142... * 280 = 160, which is what he lost: 280 - 120 = 160

would 's' not be equal to 1 + 1/3 ?
(Undefined is correct)

Originally Posted by 99.95

would 's' not be equal to 1 + 1/3 ?
(Undefined is correct)

NO.
A 10% increase on $100 results in 100(1 + .10) = 110
Similarly, a (133.333...)% increase results in 100(1 + 1.33333) = 233.33

Originally Posted by Wilmer

NO.
A 10% increase on $100 results in 100(1 + .10) = 110
Similarly, a (133.333...)% increase results in 100(1 + 1.33333) = 233.33

I don't think there is any play on words or ambiguity here; the problem states "puts it on sale for 133 and 1/3 percent of it's wholesale price". This is different from a 133+1/3 percent increase.

Originally Posted by undefined

I don't think there is any play on words or ambiguity here; the problem states "puts it on sale for 133 and 1/3 percent of it's wholesale price". This is different from a 133+1/3 percent increase.

Before I resign or commit suicide, can you tell me WHY?

Originally Posted by Wilmer

Before I resign or commit suicide, can you tell me WHY?

Umm.. I'm not sure what's going on emotionally or if there's some joke I'm missing but..

Suppose wholesale price is $3.

133+1/3 percent of $3 is $4.

So if you sell at 133+1/3 percent of wholesale price, the sale price is $4.

If you increase by 133+1/3 percent, you increase by $4, and the sale price is $7.

Am I missing something?

Originally Posted by undefined

Umm.. I'm not sure what's going on emotionally or if there's some joke I'm missing but..
Am I missing something?

Just a joke, n/0; I'm the one that missed something; I read this:
"He buys a suit and puts it on sale for 133 and 1/3 percent of it's wholesale price."
as a profit margin of 133 1/3 %.
I swear (right hand on the Fible) that I'll be more careful next time!

Originally Posted by Wilmer

Just a joke, n/0; I'm the one that missed something; I read this:
"He buys a suit and puts it on sale for 133 and 1/3 percent of it's wholesale price."
as a profit margin of 133 1/3 %.
I swear (right hand on the Fible) that I'll be more careful next time!

Right hand on the Fible! Well, it's not that serious..