Every now and then, a simple brain teaser takes the internet by storm—and this one has social media users scratching their heads and arguing in the comments.
The premise seems straightforward:
A man walks into a store, steals a $100 bill from the cash register, and then uses that same stolen bill to buy $70 worth of goods. The cashier gives him $30 in change.
So, how much did the store actually lose?
Shared by the account Out of Context Human Race on X (formerly Twitter), the riddle has racked up millions of views—and just as many debates.
The Breakdown
Let’s take it step by step:
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The thief steals $100 — That’s a loss right off the bat.
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He then “spends” the stolen $100 to buy $70 worth of goods — But remember, this isn’t new money to the store. He’s using their own money to make the purchase.
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He gets $30 in change — That’s actual cash handed over by the store, also from their own register.
In the end:
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The store lost $70 in merchandise
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Plus $30 in cash
Total loss: $100
Why the Confusion?
At first glance, many assume the store loses $130 — adding the stolen $100 to the $30 in change. Others think it’s just $100, or even only $30, depending on which part of the transaction they focus on.
But when you zoom out and look at the whole exchange, it becomes clear:
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The $100 bill never came from the thief.
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The store ends up with no money and no goods, while the thief walks away with $70 worth of stuff and $30 in cash.
Why This Puzzle Went Viral
What makes this puzzle such a hit? It’s deceptively simple—but forces people to slow down, walk through the scenario logically, and realize how easy it is to jump to the wrong conclusion.
It’s the kind of riddle that:
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Sparks conversation
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Challenges assumptions
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And makes you feel clever once you figure it out
It also reveals a deeper truth: sometimes, the right answer isn’t the most obvious one.
So—did you get it right on your first try? If not, you’re definitely not alone. Share this brain teaser with your friends and see who cracks the code the fastest. You might just start the next big debate online.
