The Cow Math Puzzle: A Brain Teaser for the Curious Mind

Thus, the total amount earned from both transactions is $400.

Why Do Some People Get Confused?
One of the reasons this puzzle trips people up is that they mistakenly try to calculate their total investment instead of focusing on the actual profits made in each transaction. Some might incorrectly assume that the total amount they handled ($800 + $1,100 = $1,900) should factor into the calculation differently. However, the key here is to focus on the difference between buying and selling prices in each instance.

Another common mistake is adding up all the money received ($1,000 + $1,300 = $2,300) and then subtracting the total spent ($800 + $1,100 = $1,900). While this method will also yield $400, it can sometimes mislead people into thinking they need a more complex formula to get the right answer.

The Fun of Math Puzzles