1. The problem is to prepare fixed base index numbers using 1997 as the base year. 2. The formula for fixed base index number is: $$\text{Fixed base index} = \frac{\text{Price index of given year}}{\text{Price index of base year}} \times 100$$ 3. Here, the base year is 1997 with a price index of 115. 4. Calculate fixed base index for each year by dividing the price index of that year by 115 and multiplying by 100. 5. For example, for 1995: $$\frac{100}{115} \times 100 = 86.96$$ 6. Similarly, for 1996: $$\frac{108}{115} \times 100 = 93.91$$ 7. For 1997 (base year): $$\frac{115}{115} \times 100 = 100$$ 8. For 1998: $$\frac{169}{115} \times 100 = 146.95$$ 9. For 1999: $$\frac{281}{115} \times 100 = 244.34$$ 10. For 2000: $$\frac{295}{115} \times 100 = 256.52$$ 11. For 2001: $$\frac{308}{115} \times 100 = 267.82$$ 12. For 2002: $$\frac{325}{115} \times 100 = 282.60$$ 13. For 2003: $$\frac{332}{115} \times 100 = 288.69$$ 14. Conclusion: The fixed base index numbers show how prices have changed relative to the base year 1997. Values above 100 indicate price increases compared to 1997, and values below 100 indicate decreases. From 1998 onwards, the index numbers are significantly above 100, indicating a strong upward trend in prices after 1997.