Applied to a bill for $\textdollar{10,000}$ the difference between a discount of $40$% and two successive discounts of $36$% and $4$%, 
expressed in dollars, is:
$\textbf{(A)}0\qquad \textbf{(B)}144\qquad \textbf{(C)}256\qquad \textbf{(D)}400\qquad \textbf{(E)}416$
Taking the discount of $40$% means you're only paying $60$% of the bill.  That results in $10,000\cdot0.6=\textdollar{6,000}$.
Likewise, taking two discounts of $36$% and $4$% means taking $64$% of the original amount and then $96$% of the result.  That results in $10,000\cdot0.64\cdot0.96=\textdollar{6,144}$.
Taking the difference results in $6,144-6,000=\textdollar{144}$, or answer choice $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$.