Every once in a while, a riddle comes along that stumps even the sharpest minds. It looks simple at first glance, but when you take a closer look, you realize there’s a catch.
One such riddle is making the rounds:
*”One day, I checked my money and saw that I had 13 dollars. Then, my mom gave me 10 dollars, and my dad generously handed me 30 dollars. My aunt and uncle decided to help out and gave me 100 dollars. Finally, I found 5 more dollars in my pocket.
So, how much money did I have?”*
Most people instinctively grab a calculator (or use mental math) to add up the numbers:
13 + 10 + 30 + 100 + 5 = 158 dollars.
Sounds right, doesn’t it? Not quite. Let’s break it down and uncover the trick behind this riddle.
The Key to Solving This Riddle: Paying Attention to the Wording
At first glance, the question seems to ask for the total sum of money mentioned in the riddle. But look carefully at the wording—the phrase used is “how much money did I have?”
The phrase “did have” is past tense, meaning the question is asking about the amount of money I originally had before receiving anything else.
So, let’s go back to the first sentence:
“One day, I checked my money and saw that I had 13 dollars.”
That’s it! The amount of money I originally had was 13 dollars.
Video: I had $2 My Mom gave me $10 My Dad Gave me $30 My Aunt & Uncle gave me $100 I had another $5
Why Do So Many People Get It Wrong?
This riddle plays on a common cognitive bias—our brains are wired to focus on numbers rather than the wording of the question itself.
1. The Brain Loves to Calculate
When people see multiple numbers in a problem, they instinctively think it’s a math challenge and begin adding the figures together without questioning the logic.
2. Skimming Instead of Reading Carefully
In today’s fast-paced digital world, most people skim through text rather than reading it carefully. The trick in this riddle exploits that tendency, making people jump straight to calculations without truly understanding the question.
3. Past vs. Present Tense Confusion
The question deliberately uses past tense (“did have”) instead of asking “how much money do I have now?” This subtle grammatical difference tricks people into focusing on the wrong thing.
The Psychology Behind Trick Questions
Tricky riddles like this one test more than just math skills—they challenge our attention to detail, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.
How the Brain Reacts to Trick Questions
✔ Cognitive Bias – We assume we know what the question is asking before we fully process it.
✔ Heuristics (Mental Shortcuts) – The brain tries to simplify complex problems by jumping to conclusions.
✔ Pattern Recognition – When we see numbers, we assume a math problem rather than a word puzzle.
This is why even people who are great at math often get tricked by these types of riddles!
Examples of Other Common Trick Riddles
If you enjoyed this challenge, here are a few more riddles that use similar wordplay tricks:
1. The Classic “Train to London” Riddle
“A train leaves London heading to Manchester at 100 mph. Another train leaves Manchester heading to London at 120 mph. Which one is closer to London when they meet?”
📌 Answer: They are both at the same distance from London when they meet! Many people mistakenly assume they need to calculate distances, but logically, when two things meet, they are equally distant from their starting points.
2. The “Father and Son Car Crash” Riddle
“A father and his son get into a car accident. The father dies, and the son is rushed to the hospital. The doctor looks at the boy and says, ‘I can’t operate on him—he’s my son!’ How is this possible?”
📌 Answer: The doctor is the boy’s mother. Many people assume the doctor must be a man due to implicit bias, which is why this riddle tricks so many people.
3. The “How Many Animals?” Riddle
“A farmer has 15 sheep, and all but 9 run away. How many sheep does he have left?”
📌 Answer: 9 sheep. The phrase “all but 9” means that 9 are still there, but many people mistakenly think they need to subtract from 15.
Video: I Have 5 Dollars My Mom Gave Me 10 Dollars Riddle || I Had 5 Pesos My Mom Gave Me 10 Pesos Riddle
How to Get Better at Solving Trick Riddles
Want to improve your ability to spot tricky wording and outsmart deceptive questions? Here are a few tips:
✔ Read the question carefully – Slow down and break it down word by word before assuming anything.
✔ Look for grammatical clues – Pay attention to tense (past vs. present) and any unusual phrasing.
✔ Question your first instinct – If an answer seems too obvious, double-check the logic behind it.
✔ Practice critical thinking – Engage in brain teasers, lateral thinking puzzles, and logic riddles regularly.
With time and practice, you’ll start to catch on to the tricks faster and avoid falling for these classic mental traps.
Final Thoughts: Why We Love Riddles Like This One
Riddles like “How much money did I have?” aren’t just fun—they’re a great way to sharpen your mind. They remind us that not every problem is about math—sometimes, it’s about how well you pay attention.
✔ They challenge our thinking.
✔ They make us question assumptions.
✔ They teach us to read more carefully.
Next time you see a riddle that seems easy, pause for a moment and ask yourself: Am I really understanding the question, or am I just jumping to conclusions?
After all, the smartest people aren’t the ones who answer the fastest—they’re the ones who think before they speak. 😉
