Answer:
0 (his combined loss is zero)
Explanation:
Given a profit of $20 on the sale of the first shirt,
and a loss of $20 (the same amount) on the sale of the second shirt,
The combined loss = $20 + (-$20)
= $0.
So long as the absolute values of the profit and loss are equal, the combined effect will be zero. However, selling a cloth at $12 and making a profit of $20 (a higher figure than the sales amount) is highly doubtful. This will nevertheless not affect the combined effect of an equal amount of profit and loss.