1. **Problem statement:** The price of an article is increased first by 15% and then by 10%. We need to find the total percentage increase. 2. **Formula used:** When successive percentage increases are applied, the total increase is not simply the sum of the percentages. Instead, the combined increase is given by: $$\text{Total Increase} = a + b + \frac{a \times b}{100}$$ where $a$ and $b$ are the individual percentage increases. 3. **Applying the formula:** Here, $a = 15$ and $b = 10$. $$\text{Total Increase} = 15 + 10 + \frac{15 \times 10}{100}$$ 4. **Calculate the product term:** $$\frac{15 \times 10}{100} = \frac{150}{100} = 1.5$$ 5. **Sum all terms:** $$15 + 10 + 1.5 = 26.5$$ 6. **Interpretation:** The total percentage increase is $26.5\%$. **Final answer:** The total percentage increase after two successive increases of 15% and 10% is **26.5%**.