A sells an article to B at a gain of 16%, B sells it to C at a loss of 15%, and C sells it to D at a gain of 20%. If the difference between the profits earned by C and A is Rs. 248, then the loss (in Rs.) incurred by B is:

Let the cost price for A be 100x.
A's profit = 16% of 100x=16x

B's cost price = 116x

B sells to C at a loss of 15%:

B's loss = 15% of 116x=0.15×116x=17.4x

C's cost price = 116x−17.4x=98.6x

C sells to D at a gain of 20%:

C's profit = 20% of 98.6x=0.20×98.6x=19.72x

Given that the difference between the profits earned by C and A is Rs. 248:

Profit of C−Profit of A=248
19.72x−16x=248
3.72x=248
x=
3.72
248
​
=
372
24800
​
=
3
200
​

We need to find the loss incurred by B, which is 17.4x:

Loss of B=17.4×
3
200
​
=5.8×200=1160