When it comes to school, everyone has that one favorite subject—and usually one they dread.
Interestingly, math tends to be one of those subjects people either love or absolutely struggle with.
That’s what makes this particular math problem so fascinating. Despite being around for many years, it remains just as challenging today as it was the day it first appeared—still defying anyone who tries to solve it.
Here’s a classic money puzzle for you:
A man buys a horse for $60, sells it for $70, then buys it back for $80, and finally sells it again for $90.
How much money did he make?
At first glance, it seems straightforward—but surprisingly, many people get stuck on this one. Why not give it a try yourself? If you get stuck, don’t worry—you can check the answer below.
One common reason this problem trips people up is because they overthink it. The key is to keep it simple and look at each transaction separately.
Let’s break it down:
- First transaction: Bought for $60, sold for $70 → Profit: $10
- Second transaction: Bought for $80, sold for $90 → Profit: $10
Add them up, and the man’s total profit is $20.
So, how did you do? Did you get it right?