This riddle has left thousands of people second-guessing themselves. At first glance, it feels simple. But the more you think about it, the more confusing it seems. Some people confidently answer $200. Others argue for $130. A few even change their answer three times before settling.
But if you slow down and think carefully, the logic becomes clear.
🧠 The Question
How much did the store actually lose?
Here’s the scenario:
A man steals a $100 bill from a store’s register.
Later, he uses that same $100 bill to buy $70 worth of goods from the store.
The cashier gives him $30 in change.
So… how much money did the store lose?
Take a moment.
Read it again.
Don’t rush.
✅ The Correct Answer: $100
Here’s why.
At first, it feels like multiple losses are happening. But we need to track what the store truly ends up without.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Step 1: The Theft
The man steals $100 from the register.
At this point, the store is down $100 in cash.
Step 2: The “Purchase”
He comes back and uses that exact same $100 bill to buy $70 worth of goods.
When he hands over the $100 bill, the store technically gets its original $100 back. So now the cash register is balanced again.
At this exact moment, the net loss is $0 — because the stolen money has returned.
Step 3: The Change
The store gives him:
- $70 worth of goods
- $30 in change
Now calculate the real loss:
- $70 in merchandise
- $30 in cash
- That equals $100 total loss.
Why It’s NOT $130 or $200
Many people mistakenly add everything together:
- $100 stolen
- $70 goods
- $30 change
Which leads to $200 — but that double-counts the same $100 bill.
Others say $130 by adding $100 (stolen) + $30 (change), forgetting the stolen $100 was returned
- The key insight is this:
The store does not permanently lose the original $100 bill — it gets that back during the purchase.
What it ultimately loses is:
- The goods worth $70
- The $30 in change
Total: $100
Final Answer:
💰 The store lost $100.
- Disclaimer
This article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The scenario described is fictional and created to test logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It does not promote or encourage theft or illegal activity.
