Have you come across the latest brain teaser that’s been captivating social media users lately? It’s a math puzzle involving a cow that has sparked plenty of debates and discussions on Twitter. With its charming simplicity, this puzzle might seem straightforward, but it’s tripped up more than a few people. So, let’s break down the solution together and see if we can clear up the confusion!

The Puzzle Breakdown: A Cow and Some Transactions

The scenario goes like this:

1. You initially buy a cow for $800.
2. You then sell the cow for $1000, earning a profit of $200.
3. Next, you buy back the cow for $1100. But since you already made a profit of $200 from the first sale, your effective cost for the second purchase is effectively $900.
4. Finally, you sell the cow again for $1300, leading to a profit of $400 from this second transaction.

Step-by-Step Solution: Calculating the Total Profit

Now, let’s break down each step to figure out the total profit:

1. First Purchase:
   You bought the cow for $800.
2. First Sale:
   Selling the cow for $1000 results in a profit of:
   $1000 – $800 = $200 profit.
3. Second Purchase:
   You decide to buy the cow back for $1100. At this point, you’ve already made $200 from the initial transaction, so it’s as if you’re buying the cow again at an effective cost of $900.
4. Second Sale:
   Selling the cow once more for $1300 means your profit from this round is:
   $1300 – $900 = $400 profit.

What’s the Final Answer?

To find the total profit from all your transactions, let’s sum up the gains:

• Profit from the first sale: $200
• Profit from the second sale: $400
• Total profit: $200 + $400 = $400

So, despite all the buying and selling, your overall profit from these transactions is $400.

Why This Puzzle is So Tricky

At first glance, the puzzle seems straightforward, but the confusion often arises in how people calculate the effective cost after repurchasing the cow. The key here is to track the net profit after each transaction rather than focusing solely on the individual amounts spent and earned.

Conclusion: A Fun Challenge for the Curious Mind

While this puzzle may have stumped some at first, breaking it down step by step helps reveal the simple math behind it. It’s a great reminder that sometimes, puzzles that appear complicated are just about keeping track of the numbers carefully.

So, did you solve it on your first try, or did this explanation help clear things up? Either way, it’s a fun exercise for your brain and a great conversation starter!