Q.A trader buys goods for ₹2,500 and sells them at a loss of 8%. Find the selling price.

A loss of $8\%$ multiplies the cost price by $\left(1-\tfrac{8}{100}\right)$.

$\text{SP}=2500\times(1-0.08)=2500\times0.92=2300$.

A loss is taken on the cost price, so use the loss multiplying factor:

Check (independent verification): the actual loss is $\text{CP}-\text{SP}=2500-2300=200$, and $\dfrac{200}{2500}\times100=8\%$ — exactly the stated loss.

Two-step: loss $=8\%$ of $2500=\tfrac{8}{100}\times2500=200$; $\text{SP}=2500-200=2300$.

Adding the loss instead of subtracting it, or taking $8\%$ of the (unknown) selling price. The loss percentage is on the cost price, and a loss lowers the SP.