I entered a store and spent one-half of the money that was in my wallet. When I came out I found that I had just as many paise as I had rupees and half as many rupees as I had paise when I went in.

How much money did I have with me when I entered the store ?

( Given: 1 Rupee = 100 Paise ).

(In reply to A different interpretation by TomM)

If we are to interpret the amount sought is in currency and not currency value, we note that the we are given that 1 Rupee = 100 Paise (hence, Indian currency) and the puzzle was posted (and most probably submitted) in 2003 A.D. -- thus, with a little research we find that the smallest unit of paise coinage that is
recognized as legal tender is the five paise. Thus, the other possible amounts are not simply multiples of 99.98, but must be multiples of 499.90. 

Under the interpretation, the minimum number of coinage carried into the store -- 95 rupees (400 being in notes) and 490 paise -- would only weigh approximately 213 grams (approximately the weight of 85 U.S. pennies, Ender, a little cumbersome --- yet, possible).

The solution 99.98, itself, doesn't seem valid as there is no 1 paise coin as legal tender -- thus 499.90 (or multiple thereof) should be a more correct solution.  But, perhaps, in this electronic age the money was purely digital.

Edited on November 28, 2007, 4:36 am

Posted by Dej Mar on 2007-11-28 01:13:26