











Shopkeeper Puzzle
How much of a loss did the shopkeeper take?
A lady buys goods worth Rs 200 from a shop, whose shopkeeper is selling the goods with zero profit.
- The lady gives him a Rs 1000 note.
- The shopkeeper gets the change from the next shop, keeps Rs 200 for himself, and returns Rs 800 to the lady.
- Later the shopkeeper of the next shop comes with the Rs 1000 note saying “fake note” and takes his money back. How much of a loss did the shopkeeper take?
Solution:
Let us assume that the shopkeeper has Rs.1000 currency Extra with his Rs.200 worth Goods.


Step 1:
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs.1000 fake currency
Neighbor = Rs.1000 as changes
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs.1000 fake currency
Neighbor = Rs.1000 as changes


Step 2:
Shopkeeper = Rs.1000 fake currency + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods
Neighbor = Rs.1000 as changes
Shopkeeper = Rs.1000 fake currency + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods
Neighbor = Rs.1000 as changes


Step 3:
Shopkeeper = Rs.1000 as changes + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods
Neighbor = Rs.1000 fake currency
Shopkeeper = Rs.1000 as changes + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods
Neighbor = Rs.1000 fake currency


Step 4:
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.800
Neighbor = Rs.1000 fake currency
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 + Rs.1000 Original Currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.800
Neighbor = Rs.1000 fake currency


Step 5:
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 + Rs.1000 fake currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.800
Neighbor = Rs.1000 Original Currency
Shopkeeper = Rs 200 + Rs.1000 fake currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.800
Neighbor = Rs.1000 Original Currency
Compare Step 1 and Step 5 now.
Lady changed her Rs.1000 fake currency into goods and currency of total worth Rs.1000
Shopkeeper changed his Original Rs.1000 currency into a fake currency.
So the loss for the shopkeeper is Rs.1000.
Shopkeeper changed his Original Rs.1000 currency into a fake currency.
So the loss for the shopkeeper is Rs.1000.
Login/Signup to comment