Brain Teaser about a cow sparks debate online: Can you solve it?

Brain teasers are known for testing our logic and challenging the way we think, and the latest one doing the rounds on social media has users scratching their heads.

Shared on X (formerly Twitter), this viral math riddle presents a scenario involving the buying and selling of a cow and asks users to calculate total earnings.

The puzzle reads:

“I bought a cow for $900. I sold it for $1200. I bought it again for $1300. I sold it again for $1600. How much did I earn?”

Brain teaser 🧠 pic.twitter.com/86ll81YB59

— Quantum 𝕏 (@Quantm_X) May 17, 2025

Why It's Confusing

At first glance, the math seems simple. However, the phrasing of the transactions has led to confusion, with many overthinking the problem or interpreting the question in different ways. The teaser plays on the reader’s understanding of profit and the sequence of transactions.

What Users Are Saying

Once posted, the brain teaser quickly drew hundreds of responses and theories in the comments. Some confidently replied with “$600,” while others were sure the answer was “$200.” A few users even questioned the feasibility of the trade, with one commenting, “You couldn’t buy it for $1,300 because you only had $1,200.”

Breaking Down the Logic

To find the right answer, it helps to break the teaser down into two separate transactions:

First transaction:

Bought for $900

Sold for $1200

Profit: $300

Second transaction:

Bought for $1300

Sold for $1600

Profit: $300

Add both profits together:

$300 + $300 = $600

Final Answer: $600 Earned

Despite the puzzle’s simplicity, it sparked a wide range of responses and proved how even basic math problems can trip us up when phrased cleverly. In the end, the answer is a total earning of $600, and the brain teaser serves as a fun reminder of how critical thinking can sometimes be more important than complex calculations.