Cost Price Formula - Definition, Examples And Solution (2024)

Table of Contents

The Cost Price formula, often denoted as CP, is a method used to determine the actual price of an item, which is the amount paid to purchase a commodity. Cost price plays a crucial role in assessing profitability relative to the selling price. If the cost price is lower than the selling price, it results in a profit, while if the cost price exceeds the selling price, it leads to a loss. In this section, we will explore two cost price formulas, analyze the variables involved, and work through examples to gain a deeper understanding of this concept.

Definition of Cost Price

The cost price, often referred to as the actual cost, last cost, or average cost, represents the total expenditure incurred in producing goods or services before factoring in any profit for the manufacturer or producer. It encompasses various expenses, such as production costs, property expenses, material costs, energy expenses, research and development expenses, testing expenses, worker salaries, and any other outlays that need to be covered. Both profit and loss calculations are based on the cost price and the selling price of a product or item.

What is the Cost Price Formula?

The cost price, representing the amount paid to purchase a commodity, can be determined using two fundamental formulas outlined below:

Cost Price Formula - Definition, Examples And Solution (1)

Cost Price Formula

Formula 1: When a profit is earned upon selling a product, the cost price is calculated using this formula.

Cost Price Formula = Selling Price – Profit

Formula 2: In cases where a loss is incurred during the sale of a product, the cost price is determined using this formula.

Cost Price Formula = Selling Price + Loss

Formula 3: The formula for calculating the cost price using the profit percentage and the selling price is as follows:

Cost Price Formula = {100/(100 + Profit%)} × SP (Selling Price).

Formula 4: Likewise, the cost price can be calculated using the loss percentage and the selling price with this formula:

Cost Price Formula = {100/(100 – Loss%)} × SP (Selling Price).

These formulas provide methods for determining the cost price based on different scenarios involving profit, loss, profit percentage, and loss percentage.

Also Check –Factors and multiples Formula

Examples on Cost Price Formula

Example 1: A toy is sold for $340, and the shopkeeper earns a profit of $60. Calculate the cost price of the toy using the cost price formula.

Solution:

Given: Selling price (SP) = $340, Profit = $60

Using the cost price formula:

Cost Price (CP) = Selling Price – Profit

CP = $340 – $60

CP = $280

Answer: The cost price of the toy is $280.

Also Check –Volume of a Cylinder Formula

Example 2: An article is sold for $230 at a loss of $20. Calculate the cost price of the article using the cost price formula.

Solution:

Given: Selling price (SP) = $230, Loss = $20

Using the cost price formula:

Cost Price (CP) = Selling Price + Loss

CP = $230 + $20

CP = $250

Answer: The cost price of the article is $250.

Also Check –Rational Number Formula

Example 3: Jamie sells a chair for $900 and incurs a loss of 6%. Find the purchase price (cost price) of the chair using the formula.

Solution:

Given: Loss = 6%, Selling price (SP) = $900, CP = ?

If the loss is 6%, it means that for a cost price of $100, the loss is $6.

So, for a CP of $100, SP = $94.

When SP is $94, CP = $100.

Now, when SP is $900:

CP = (100/94) × $900 = $957.44

Answer: The cost price of the chair is $957.44.

Cost Price Formula FAQs

Q1. What is the cost price (CP) formula?

Ans. The cost price (CP) formula is used to calculate the original price of a commodity or item. It can be expressed as:

CP = SP - Profit (When a profit is earned)
CP = SP + Loss (When a loss is incurred)
CP = {100 / (100 + Profit %)} × SP (Using profit percentage)
CP = {100 / (100 - Loss %)} × SP (Using loss percentage)

Q2. When do we use the cost price formula?

Ans. The cost price formula is used when you want to determine the original price (cost price) of an item based on the selling price and either profit or loss incurred during a transaction.

Q3. What is the significance of knowing the cost price?

Ans. Understanding the cost price is essential for businesses and individuals to assess profitability. It helps in determining whether a transaction resulted in a profit or loss.

Q4. Can the cost price formula be used for calculating profit or loss percentage?

Ans. Yes, the cost price formula can be used to calculate profit or loss percentages. By rearranging the formula, you can find these percentages.

Q5. Are there any other factors that can affect the cost price?

Ans. Yes, the cost price can be influenced by various factors such as production costs, material prices, labor expenses, and overhead costs.

Q6. How is the cost price formula applied in real-life scenarios?

Ans. The cost price formula is commonly used in business and finance to determine the original purchase price of goods, helping businesses evaluate their profit margins and make pricing decisions. It is also used by individuals for personal financial analysis.

Cost Price Formula - Definition, Examples And Solution (2024)

FAQs

Cost Price Formula - Definition, Examples And Solution? ›

Cost Price Formula = {100/(100 – Loss%)} × SP (Selling Price). These formulas provide methods for determining the cost price based on different scenarios involving profit, loss, profit percentage, and loss percentage.

What is the formula for cost price with example? ›

There are many formulae for finding cost price, but it all depends on the type of question you get. For example, Cost price = Selling price − profit ( when selling price and profit is given ) Cost price = Selling price + loss ( when selling price and loss is given )

How do you solve cost formula? ›

The Total Cost Formula, represented as (Fixed Cost + Variable Cost) / Number of Units Produced, provides insights into the cost structure of a business, helping determine profitability. This formula can aid in devising pricing strategies, assessing business efficiency, and identifying areas for potential cost savings.

How do I work out the cost price? ›

Cost price formula when gain (profit) percentage and selling price is given as, Cost price formula = {100/(100 + Profit%)} × SP.

What is the formula for calculating price? ›

Divide the total cost by the number of units bought to obtain the cost price. Use the selling price formula to find out the final price i.e.: SP = CP + Profit Margin. Margin will then be added to the cost of the commodity in order to identify the appropriate pricing.

How do you write a cost formula? ›

The general form of the cost function formula is C ( x ) = F + V ( x ) where F is the total fixed costs, V is the variable cost, x is the number of units, and C(x) is the total production cost.

How do you calculate cost pricing? ›

Calculate the total cost of all units purchased. Divide the total cost by the total number of units purchased - this will provide you with the cost price.

What is the solution for cost price? ›

Cost Price Formula = {100/(100 + Profit%)} × SP (Selling Price). Formula 4: Likewise, the cost price can be calculated using the loss percentage and the selling price with this formula: Cost Price Formula = {100/(100 – Loss%)} × SP (Selling Price).

What is the total cost formula? ›

Total Cost = Total Fixed Cost + Total Variable Cost. It can also be represented in a more advanced way as, Total Cost = (Average fixed cost + Average variable cost) x Number of units. This was all about the total cost formula, which is a very important concept for determining the total cost of production.

How is cost price determined? ›

It must be determined for each product or service you offer. It is calculated by adding the direct and indirect expenses, then dividing the sum obtained by the quantity of goods produced or services rendered.

How should cost is calculated? ›

A should-cost model is a documented calculation of an estimated price of a product or service that you create by researching all material costs, labor costs, overhead costs, and profit margins.

What is the definition of cost price? ›

Cost price is the total amount of money that it costs a manufacturer to produce a given product or provide a given service.

How do you set a price formula? ›

Formula for pricing a product

As a guideline, you can use this formula to establish the selling price of your product or service: Selling price = Direct costs + Indirect costs + Profit margin.

What is the general formula for price? ›

Here are the three most important basic retail price formulas: Retail Price = Cost of Goods + Markup. Markup = Retail Price – Cost of Goods. Cost of Goods = Retail Price – Markup.

What is an example of price? ›

At its most basic, a price is the amount of money that a buyer gives to a seller in exchange for a good or a service. When someone hands over $2.00 and receives a pound of tomatoes, the price is straightforward observation: $2.00 a pound.

What is an example of cost pricing? ›

For example, if an item's production cost is INR 10 and the desired markup is 50%, the selling price would be set at INR 15 (INR 10 + INR 5). This model allows businesses to ensure they cover their costs while incorporating a profit margin.

What is an example of calculation of cost? ›

For instance, a company produces 1000 units of a single product every year. The ingredients that make the product cost ₹4.50, and the equipment that makes them costs ₹1,000 to service once a year. The company also spends ₹6,000 on marketing, ₹10,000 on rent and storage, and ₹2,000 on other business expenses each year.

What is an example of a cost equation? ›

For example, a company with $300,000 in overhead costs that makes products that cost the company $5 each to manufacture and sell has a cost equation of 300,000 + (5 x number of products sold).

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