Ramesh bought 2 boxes for Rs 1300: What is the cost of each box?

To find the cost of each box, let’s denote the cost price of the first box as C1 and the second box as C2. According to the problem, we know:

• C1 + C2 = 1300

Additionally, Ramesh sold one box at a profit of 20% and another at a loss of 12%. The selling prices (SP) can be expressed as:

• SP of the first box = C1 + 0.20 * C1 = 1.20 * C1
• SP of the second box = C2 – 0.12 * C2 = 0.88 * C2

Since the selling prices are the same, we can set them equal to each other:

1.20 * C1 = 0.88 * C2

Now we have two equations:

1. C1 + C2 = 1300
2. 1.20 * C1 = 0.88 * C2

From the first equation, we can express C2 in terms of C1:

C2 = 1300 – C1

Now, substitute this expression for C2 into our second equation:

1.20 * C1 = 0.88 * (1300 – C1)

Distributing the 0.88 gives:

1.20 * C1 = 1144 – 0.88 * C1

Now, add 0.88 * C1 to both sides:

1.20 * C1 + 0.88 * C1 = 1144

2.08 * C1 = 1144

Now, divide both sides by 2.08:

C1 = 1144 / 2.08 = 550

Now that we have C1, we can find C2:

C2 = 1300 – 550 = 750

Thus, the cost of the first box is Rs 550 and the cost of the second box is Rs 750.