One of the latest viral puzzles to hit the internet involves a thief, a $100 bill, and a purchase. Sounds simple, right? But if you’ve seen the $100 brain teaser circulating online, you know it’s far from straightforward. The challenge, shared by Out of Context Human Race on X (formerly Twitter), presents a scenario in which a man steals a $100 bill from a store, buys $70 worth of goods with it, and gets $30 in change. The question: How much money did the store lose?

Many people were quick to say the store lost $100, but others felt that the loss was $130, considering both the stolen money and the change. The key to solving this puzzle lies in understanding the sequence of transactions. The store gets the stolen $100 back when the thief makes a purchase, but it still loses $30 in change and $70 in goods. Therefore, the store’s total loss is $100.

This puzzle isn’t just a math problem—it highlights how the simplest scenarios can lead to complex debates. The widespread discussion shows how deeply the internet loves to engage with thought-provoking challenges that stimulate critical thinking. After all, brain teasers are more than just a pastime—they’re an intellectual exercise.