Do Not Pay Any Less, Mrs Mess Puzzle

The Puzzle:

Mrs Mess was buying a set of garden furniture. The bill was seventy dollars.

She gave the attendant what she thought were two $50 notes, (actually two $100 notes).

The attendant was sleepy and didn't notice either, so he gave Mrs Mess what he thought were three $10 notes (actually three $50 notes).

Who ended up better off than they should?

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-\./^\./-


Do you have the answer? Check against our solution!

Our Solution:

Mrs Mess comes away better off than she should, by $20 in fact. Despite the warning in the title, Mrs Mess did pay less than she should have done!

Cost of furniture: $70

Mrs Mess paid: $100 x 2 = $200

Change received: $50 x 3 = $150

Net payment: $200 - $150 = $50

Profit for Mrs Mess: $70 - $50 = $20