No, it's not a joke.  It is in fact a serious question.  How do you count how many Transformers are in your collection? 

This is a subject that has most certinly been discussed before by the fandom in some form or fashion.  I don't think it's been done like this, at least not in quite a while. 

While the answer may seem obvious (just count what's on the shelf).  Is it really that simple? 

For a number of figures the answer is yes.  It is that simple.  Just about all of the deluxe fugures from Cybertron were straight forward figures one alt mode, one bot mode.  The same is true for the majority of TFs.

Now, here's where it gets interesting.  What about Armada?  How do you count mini-cons?  Armada Hot Shot came with Mini-con Jolt.  But, the only way you could collect the Jolt mini-con was with Hot Shot.  So, do you count them as 1 or 2 figures?  They are able to function independently of one another, but are permanantly teamed together.  Either can attian a bot mode or an alt mode with no need of the other figure.  But, the cashier at "Target" charged you for A Deluxe Class Transformer.

If that seems fairly easy to answer think about this, Targetmasters.  Targetmaster Hot Rod and Firebold agian both are robots and both transform to an alt mode.  This time the partnership is a little more deep and harder  to split.  However, is Firebold's alt mode (a gun) dependant on Hot Rod?  Well, no it isn't.  Any of the other large figure with a correctly sized hand can use him.

Now let's move on to an even more grey aera, Headmasters.  This is where it can really get interesting.  If your criteria so far has been it needs to be a figure and transform from an alt mode to a bot mode fine.  But, does Highbrow transform?  What about is Nebulan counterpart head Gort, does he transform?  The answer to both questions is an obvious yes.  But, what do they transform into?  Can Gort be a disimbodied head?  And, is it really Highbrow if he's decapitated?  

Still think you've got the answer?  Here's another interesting figure, Armda Sideways.  The purple motorcycle transforms into a unique bot mode with it's own head.  He comes with Crosswise and Rook mini-cons.  Both of which can transform into a secondary head for Sideways as an alt mode.  Both have their own bot modes.  And, the two of them can combine to form a larger bot to ride Sideways when he's in motorcycle mode.  In this case Sideways is easy enough to count as an independent transformer.  Are Crosswise and Rook?  After all for either one to transform to either alt mode they must to combine with someone else.  So, are Sideways, Rook, and Crosswise 1or 2 or 3 figures?

With all of the thought that goes into making a Transformer, come some other questionable "figures".  G1 Optimus Prime, for instance, obviously counts as 1 figure, but does he count as 2 or maybe even 3 figures?  After all doesn't the trailer transform and function simi-autonimusly?  And, Roller apears to have some amount of A.I.  Does that small level of independance make either trailer or Roller count as a figure all on it's own? 

Answer-  Sorry, it's still not that simple.  But there seen to be a only few dominant views on how to answer.

1:  Count everything (including trailer & Roller).  Yes it could be a little bit of cheating but it is a reasonable way to count.

2:  Count what came in the package.  In this case it's up to you weather you count the G1 Constructicon giftset you got as 1 or 6.  Since each figure was also sold seperatly, it is fine to count it as 6.  However mini-con 3 packs are only 1, and mini-con partners (Jolt) wouldn't count at all.

3:  Split the difference.  That's right count twice.  Count once where you count everything trying to get as high a number as you can.  Count agian where you're trying to get as low a figure count as you can.  Then split the difference.  ie- You have 250 by one count and 300 by the other.  You just call it 275.

4:  Independant functionality count (this is how I do it).  In order to be counted each figure MUST have an independant bot mode AND an independant alt mode.  In this method the Star Saber counts as 3 and Highborw & Gort count as 1.