Final answer:
The loss percentage is calculated by subtracting the selling price from the cost price, dividing the result by the cost price, and then multiplying by 100. The article was sold at a loss of 5%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the given question is loss percentage calculation, which falls under the category of Mathematics. To calculate the loss percentage, we need to follow these steps:
- Determine the loss by subtracting the selling price from the cost price.
- Divide the loss by the cost price.
- Multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage.
In this case, the student sold an article for $171 which had a cost price of $180. The loss can be calculated as follows:
Loss = Cost Price - Selling Price = $180 - $171 = $9
Now we find the loss percentage:
Loss Percentage = (Loss / Cost Price) x 100
Loss Percentage = ($9 / $180) x 100
Loss Percentage = 5%
Therefore, the loss percentage on the article is 5%.