Have you stumbled upon the latest math puzzle making waves on social media? This tricky brain teaser, set against a quaint countryside backdrop, has captured everyone’s attention. The challenge? Figuring out the correct profit from a series of cow transactions.
Let’s break it down and see if you can crack the puzzle!
The Puzzle: Buying and Selling a Cow
Here’s how the scenario plays out:
- You buy a cow for $800.
- You sell the cow for $1,000, making a $200 profit.
- You then repurchase the cow for $1,100.
- Finally, you sell the cow again for $1,300.
Now, here’s the big question: What is your total profit?
The Answer: Breaking It Down
At first glance, the numbers might seem confusing. But let’s go step by step:
- You buy the cow for $800.
- You sell it for $1,000, which gives you a $200 profit.
- You buy the cow again for $1,100, putting your net balance at -$900.
- When you sell the cow for $1,300, you make another $200 profit.
So, adding both profits together:
$200 (first transaction) + $200 (second transaction) = $400 total profit.
Why This Puzzle Tricks People
The confusion often arises because people either track only one side of the transactions or miscalculate how each step affects the overall balance. The key is to focus on the net gains and losses, rather than just the individual buy and sell amounts.
Final Verdict
The correct answer is $400! If you got it right, congratulations—you’ve got sharp mathematical reasoning skills! If not, don’t worry—this puzzle stumped plenty of people before the solution became clear.
Keep an eye out for more brain teasers like this. Who knows what viral puzzle will challenge our logic next?
