Shopkeeper Puzzle : Profit or Loss?

Profit or Loss of Shopkeeper?

This is a shopkeeper puzzle: profit or loss? The premise, rule, and objective are given. Read it carefully and then go through the solution carefully.

Premise – 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.

Rule – Later the shopkeeper of the next shop comes with the Rs 1000 note saying “fake note” and takes his money back.

Objective – How much of a loss or profit did the shopkeeper take?

Shopkeeper Puzzle : Profit or Loss?

Solution

As per the given premise let us assume that the shopkeeper has Rs.1000 currency extra with his Rs.200 worth of goods.

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

A lady buys goods worth Rs 200 from a shop, whose shopkeeper is selling the goods with zero profit.

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

How much of a loss or profit did the shopkeeper take?

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

Shopkeeper Puzzle : Profit or Loss?

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

Profit and Llooss Puzzle with detailed explanation

Step 5:
Shopkeeper = Rs 200  + Rs.1000 fake currency
Lady = Rs 200 worth goods + Rs.800
Neighbor = Rs.1000 Original Currency

A lady buys goods worth Rs 200 from a shop, whose shopkeeper is selling the goods with zero profit.

Now, when we compare Step 1 and Step 5, the lady changed her Rs.1000 fake currency into goods and currency of total worth Rs.1000. Therefore, the shopkeeper changed his original Rs.1000 currency into a fake currency.

Hence, the shopkeeper faces a loss which is Rs.1000.

To practice similar puzzles, visit our Top 100 Puzzles Page for Interview Preparation.

Prime Course Trailer

Related Banners

Get PrepInsta Prime & get Access to all 200+ courses offered by PrepInsta in One Subscription

Get over 200+ course One Subscription

Courses like AI/ML, Cloud Computing, Ethical Hacking, C, C++, Java, Python, DSA (All Languages), Competitive Coding (All Languages), TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Amazon, DBMS, SQL and others

Checkout list of all the video courses in PrepInsta Prime Subscription

Checkout list of all the video courses in PrepInsta Prime Subscription