At first, this brain teaser seems incredibly easy. But many people get the wrong answer because they try to calculate everything at once instead of looking at each transaction separately.
Take a look at the puzzle:
- I bought a cow for $800.
- I sold it for $1,000.
- Then I bought the same cow again for $1,100.
- Finally, I sold it for $1,300.
So, how much profit did I make in total?
The Correct Answer
The easiest way to solve it is by breaking it into two separate deals.
First Deal
- Bought the cow for $800
- Sold it for $1,000
Profit:
$1,000 − $800 = $200
Second Deal
- Bought the cow again for $1,100
- Sold it for $1,300
Profit:
$1,300 − $1,100 = $200
Total Profit
Add the profits from both transactions:
$200 + $200 = $400
Final Answer: $400
Why Do So Many People Get It Wrong?
This puzzle is designed to make you focus on the starting and ending prices instead of the individual transactions. Many people accidentally mix all the numbers together and come up with answers like $500 or $600.
The key is to treat each buy-and-sell cycle as its own separate deal.
The Lesson
Whenever you’re solving a problem with multiple steps:
- Break it down into smaller parts.
- Calculate each transaction on its own.
- Then add the results together.
It’s a simple strategy that helps avoid mistakes—not just in puzzles like this, but in everyday situations too.
Did you get the correct answer on your first try? Challenge your friends and see if they can figure it out without peeking at the solution!
