Mike wanted to buy a bike, and he found one he liked at $20, so he bought it. The next day, a friend saw it and offered $30 dollars for it so Mike agreed. He later bought it back for $40. Again someone saw it and offered $50 and again Mike sold it. Mike finally rebought the bike for good for $60. Mike then took it to a bike show where a man told him the bike was worth $40.

Deciding to keep it, did Mike gain or lose money on the transactions? Count the bikes worth in the problem.

(In reply to re(3): Answer by Lewis)

I understand, of course, how you're looking at the problem, and the answer you gave is the way most people would have stated it. The way the problem is worded, though, 'no' does indeed correctly answer the question, and there is not really any basis for saying Spock's answer is invalid.

Posted by DJ on 2003-07-27 18:23:46