A simple 3rd grade math problem

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

$200, or $197, or "can't quite determine", depending on how you read this.

$100 to the neighbor who he had to give a real $100 in replacement of the fake.

$79 in real money paid to the jerk who passed off the phony bill.

And $18 or $21, the value of the sweater that he's lost without getting a (legitimate) dime for it.

The confusion is that the OP says the "cost" of the sweater is $18 but someone pays $21 for it. The real number depends on what the real value of the sweater is to a legimate buyer paying in real cash. If the real value of teh sweater is $18, then the answer if $197. If $21, then $200. If something else, then $100+$79+[something else]

The first $100 is not FAX's, it's his neighbor's. FAX loses $18 when the guy takes the sweater, but gets $100 from his neigbor. He then gives $79 to the guy. At this point, he is up $3. Once he gives $100 to his neighbor, he is then down $97.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

The first $100 is not FAX's, it's his neighbor's. FAX loses $18 when the guy takes the sweater, but gets $100 from his neigbor. He then gives $79 to the guy. At this point, he is up $3. Once he gives $100 to his neighbor, he is then down $97.

Yep I follow. Math (or logic) fail.

The exchange with the neighbor just a red herring. He gave $100 and got $100, so he's out the $79 plus the value of the sweater. $18 cash out of pocket for that, so $97.

Should've realized that he couldn't have lost more than the amount of the fake bill.

[blaise]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Yep I follow. Math (or logic) fail.

The exchange with the neighbor just a red herring. He gave $100 and got $100, so he's out the $79 plus the value of the sweater. $18 cash out of pocket for that, so $97.

Should've realized that he couldn't have lost more than the amount of the fake bill.

Well, did he lose the cost of the sweater, or the market value?

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

But did it happen in mid air? Because that would change things I think.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by blaise

Well, did he lose the cost of the sweater, or the market value?

OP isn't perfectly clear: "How much money does Fax lose?"

As Fax's attorney I'd argue market value.

Plus this was clearly a fraudulent and deceptive act, entitling Fax to double or triple damages under consumer protection law. Plus attorneys fees. Fax was counting on that income to help fund his efforts to recover from gastro-intestinal problems that are chronic and ongoing, which were exacerbated by the stress of being robbed as well. Potential emotional damages.

But I digress....

[Shag]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Yep I follow. Math (or logic) fail.

The exchange with the neighbor just a red herring. He gave $100 and got $100, so he's out the $79 plus the value of the sweater. $18 cash out of pocket for that, so $97.

Should've realized that he couldn't have lost more than the amount of the fake bill.

That assumes that the $100 given back to the neighbor is the same fake $100 bill. That is not clear in the OP.

[Fairplay]

2

[BourbonMan]

$200.00