An article is sold at 10 percent loss. If its cost price is decreased by Rs 5 and selling price is increased by Rs 8 , then profit of 10 percent is earned on it. What is the original cost price of the article?

Let original CP = x. Selling at 10% loss means SP = 0.9x. New CP = x - 5, new SP = 0.9x + 8. New profit is 10% of new CP, so new SP = 1.1(x - 5). Setting up: 0.9x + 8 = 1.1(x - 5). Solving: 0.9x + 8 = 1.1x - 5.5, which gives 13.5 = 0.2x, so x = 67.5. The Rs. 5 decrease in CP and Rs. 8 increase in SP together improve the profit margin by 20% of original CP.