A viral brain teaser that has taken social media by storm has left puzzle lovers scratching their heads, trying to calculate how much money a store lost in a seemingly simple scenario. This puzzle, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by the account “Out of Context Human Race,” challenges viewers to work out a deceptively tricky maths problem involving a stolen $100 bill. It has amassed over 50 million views, with people from all over the world offering their own solutions. But how much did the store actually lose? Let’s break it down.

Here’s the situation:

A man steals a $100 bill from a store’s cash register. He then uses that same $100 bill to purchase $70 worth of goods from the store and receives $30 in change. The question is, “How much money did the store lose?”

Simple enough, right? Not quite. The puzzle has sparked a debate among puzzle enthusiasts and math whizzes, with various answers floating around. Let’s dive into the possibilities and see what different people have come up with.

Breaking Down The Transactions

Before we jump into the answers, let’s dissect the series of events:

1. The Theft: The man steals $100 from the store’s cash register. This is an immediate loss of $100 for the store, right?
2. The Purchase: He then uses the stolen $100 to buy $70 worth of goods. The store gets back the $100 bill, but this is the same bill that was stolen, so it cancels out in a way. However, the store has parted with $70 worth of merchandise. So far, the store has lost $70 worth of goods but recovered the $100 in cash.
3. The Change: The store gives the man $30 in change. This is a new cash loss because the store is handing over real money to the thief, even though the bill he used was the stolen one.

Now, how do these transactions add up? Let’s consider the math behind it.

Solution 1: The Store Lost $100

This is one of the most common answers posted by users online. Many argue that the store’s net loss is simply $100. Here’s how they break it down:

• The man stole $100, but the store got that same $100 back when he made the purchase. So, at this point, there’s no net gain or loss in terms of cash.
• However, the store gave him $30 in change. This is a real cash loss for the store.
• The store also lost $70 worth of goods, which represents a separate loss.

By adding up the $30 in cash and the $70 in goods, the total loss equals $100. Thus, the store’s overall loss is $100—comprising both the physical goods and the cash they handed over as change.

Solution 2: The Store Lost $130

Another theory circulating is that the store actually lost $130. Proponents of this solution argue that:

• The store lost $100 from the initial theft. That’s money gone from the register.
• Then, when the man bought $70 worth of goods, the store technically got the stolen $100 back. But since it was stolen money, it doesn’t count as a gain for the store.
• The store then gave away $30 in change. This adds to the total loss.

By this reasoning, the total loss is $130: $100 in stolen money plus $30 in change. The fact that the man also took $70 worth of goods complicates things, but some people argue that the value of the goods and the stolen cash are separate factors.

Solution 3: The Real Loss is $70 in Goods + $30 in Cash = $100

Others stick to a straightforward approach, similar to the first solution. Here’s the reasoning:

• The stolen $100 is offset by the fact that the store got it back when the man made a purchase.
• The store loses $70 worth of goods from the sale.
• The store then gives $30 in change, which represents the only real cash loss.

Thus, the store’s actual loss is $100, split between the $70 in goods and the $30 in change.

Breaking It Down: The Correct Answer

I’m still trying to work out the answer…🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZMgkMBmGoH

— Out of Context Human Race (@NoContextHumans) September 23, 2023

So, what’s the right answer? The truth lies in how you view the transactions. The store essentially loses $100 in total value. This includes both the physical goods that were taken and the cash given as change. Here’s why:

• The $100 that was stolen is returned during the purchase, canceling out any direct cash loss from the theft.
• However, the store parts with $70 worth of goods, and that’s real value lost.
• The store also gives $30 in real cash as change, which is a genuine financial loss.

Add those two together, and the store’s total loss is $100. The confusion arises because people often get caught up in the details of the stolen $100 bill, but in reality, the loss comes from the goods and the change given out.

This viral brain teaser has stumped people because it’s not just about basic math—it’s about understanding the flow of value and recognizing where real losses occur. In the end, the store’s net loss is $100, split between the $70 in goods and the $30 in cash.

If you’ve been struggling to wrap your head around it, don’t worry—you’re not alone! The brain teaser has been circulating online precisely because it plays with our assumptions about money and transactions. But now, with a clearer breakdown, we can confidently say the store lost $100. So, were you able to solve it?