Impossible Math Problem II

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey, I got this other really dead math problem that's just killing me. Have you ever done it? Any ideas? Help!</p>

<p>The Mysterious Missing Dollar</p>

<p>3 men were on a business trip and had to stay in a hotel overnight. The price of the room was $30, so the men decided to split 1 room, 3 ways. Each one paid $10. Well after they paid, the manager realized that he overcharged them on their room. The room only cost $25, so he gave the bell boy 5 one dollar bills to give to the 3 men. On his way up to the room the bell boy was trying to think of a way to split $5 three ways. After thinking about it awhile, he decided to keep $2 for himself and give each man $1 back. Now, if each man (who paid $10) gets $1 back that means they each paid $9 ($10- $1= $9). $9 multiplied by 3 (because there are 3 men) equals $27 plus the $2 the bell boy kept equals $29! What happened to the missing dollar???</p>

<p>This is nuts, or I'm just dumb.</p>

2

<p>This problem has been around a long time, it's sleight of hand...</p>

<p>Think of the original $30 as being 30 $1 bills, it makes the problem easier. When the bellboy hands back the 3 x $1, </p>

<p>o Each man has $1 => $3 across all the men
o The bellboy has $2
o The hotel has $25</p>

<p>$3 + $2 + $25 = $30, so we are OK so far.</p>

<p>Here's the kicker - each man paid $9, for a total of $27, which is split as $2 + $25. You shouldn't add the $2 to $27, that $2 is already part of the $27.</p>

3

<p>lol this was great. it's such a simple problem yet really tricky.</p>

4

<p>oh ive seen that before. i love tricky stuff like that!</p>