Puzzler

Store Loss Calculation

A thief enters a store and steals $100 from the cash register. Before the police arrive, the thief returns and buys $70 worth of goods, paying with the same $100 bill. The store owner gives the thief $30 in change.

To determine how much money the store lost, break down the transactions:

• Initial Theft: The man steals $100. At this point, the store is down $100.
• Purchase: He then buys $70 worth of goods using the stolen $100 bill. The store loses $70 worth of goods.
• Change Given: The store gives him $30 in change.

Now, calculate the total loss:

• Total Loss from Theft: $100 (initially stolen)
• Value of Goods Lost: $70 (the goods he bought)
• Change Given: $30

However, since he used the stolen $100 bill to make the purchase, you can simplify:

• The store lost $70 worth of goods.
• The store also gave back $30 in change.

Thus, the total loss is:

$70 (goods) + $30 (change) = $100.

So, the total loss to the store is $100.