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Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

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Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

#1

Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

Alex Y

Ann goes to Bob's stall in a flea market, and haggles over the price of a vase. Bob finally decides to sell it to her at his cost--$20. Ann pays with a $100 bill. Bob doesn't have change for the $100 in his cash drawer, so he asks Charlie in the next booth if he can break a $100. He can, and gives Bob five $20s. Bob gives Ann four of them as change, and puts the fifth in his cash drawer. As soon as Ann has left, Charlie comes over and says that the $100 is a counterfeit. Bob examines it, agrees, and takes back the bad $100, giving Charlie a good one from his cash drawer.

How much did Bob lose in these transactions?

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

#2

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

Don Orr

I wanna say $180 but that seems too obvious.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

#3

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

Larry Barrett

Bob started out with a vase + $100 + whatever else he had in his cash drawer.

Bob ended up with no vase + $20 + whatever else he had ih his cash drawer.

So it seems that he lost a vase + $80.

Re: Friday Puzzler -- Counterfeit

#4

Correct

Alex Y

and since we know that he sold the vase at his cost, his total loss was $100.

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