Question

In summers, all metallic meter scales expand by 10%. Find the profit that a cloth trader makes in summers if he uses a metallic meter scale to measure cloth and if he sells at a mark-up of 10%.
1. 10%
2. 20%
3. No profit no loss
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : No profit no loss

Calculation :

A meter scale is 100 cms in length in its true state.

Given in the question, in summers the meter scale expands by 10%.

So, in summers it expands and will measure 110 cms but it is still a meter scale i.e. its readings will not change and thus the price charged for will only be for 1 mt i.e. 100 cms.

Let the rate at which the cloth trader purchases his goods is Rs. x per cm.

Earnings of the cloth trader = 100 cms × (1.1x) = 110x

And, the cost to the cloth trader = 110 cms × (x) = 110x

∴ it's the case of no profit and no loss.

The approach of solving questions where the shopkeeper has a faulty balance or weight, or the case where a meter scale expands in summers or contracts in winter is exactly similar in any situation where costs and earnings are associated with different weights/ volumes/numbers. In any of these scenarios, focus on what measure will the cost be associated with and what measure will the earnings be associated with.