A sells a watch to B at a profit of 33% and B sells it to C at a loss of 20%. If C pays Rs. 532, then what was the cost price for A?

Selling price for C = Rs. 532

Profit made by A when selling to B = 33%

Loss incurred by B when selling to C = 20%

Profit% or loss % = $$\frac{\text{Profit or Loss}}{\text{Cost Price}}\times 100$$​​

Where, Profit = Selling Price – Cost Price,

Loss = Cost Price – Selling Price

Let the cost price for A be x.

Selling price for A :

SP for A = $$x \times \left(1 + \frac{33}{100}\right)$$​= 1.33x

Selling price for B after a 20% loss:

SP for B = $$1.33x \times \left(1 - \frac{20}{100}\right) = 1.33x \times 0.8$$​​

Now,

1.33x × 0.8 = 532

1.064x = 532

x = $$\frac{532}{1.064}$$​ = 500

Thus, The cost price for A was Rs. 500.