The marked price of every item being sold by a wholesaler was ₹300. The wholesaler was offering a stock-clearance sale under which, for every three items paid for, one item was being given free. In addition to this, a further 10% discount on the amount payable on the ‘Buy 3, Get 1 free’ scheme price was being offered to anyone making purchases worth more than ₹10,000. Ramesh made purchases for which this amount payable was ₹18,000. What was the effective percentage discount that was offered to Ramesh during this transaction?

32.5%

According to the question,

The seller gives 4 item in the price of 3 items

So, selling price of 4 items = 300 × 3 = 900

Selling price of 1 item = 900/4 = Rs. 225

So, discount = 300 – 225 = Rs. 75

Discount % = (75/300) × 100 = 25

Now, for purchase above Rs. 10000 the seller again giving an extra 10% discount

Ramesh paid Rs. 18000

Actual price he should pay = 18000 × (100/90 = Rs. 20000

The actual amount he had to pay if the seller would not give the buy 3 get 1 free scheme = 20000 × (100/75) = 26666.67 approx

So, overall discount = 26666.67 – 18000 = Rs. 8666.67

Discount % = (8666.67/26666.67) × 100 = 32.5%