Do you remember that story about the 3 men coming into a motel for the night.And they ask the manager how much is a room ,and the reply is $10, per room.So each one takes a room $10 X 3=$30
One of them adds ,we are business men and we will come back every night for the next month, if you give us a good deal.So the manager says I'll think about it and let you know!Later , the manager takes $5 in the cash register and gives it to the busboy and say "Give that money to the 3 business men that checked in 10 minutes ago and tell them I'am making them a deal ,$25 for all 3 rooms.The busboy on it's way to the rooms , to give that money ,suddently thinks ""how will I divides $5 bucks into 3"?
I know, I'll give $1 to each guy and keep $2 for me as a tip.So ,after getting that dollar back each man thought he had paid $9 instead of $10.And 3 times $9 is $27,if you add up the $2 tip it comes down to $27+ 2= $29.Since the 3 men had originally paid $30, it seems that there's a dollar missing! Where's the buck?
Posts: 6353 | Location: u.s.a, south Florida | Registered: 06-03-02
Most people will break it down like you did, but it doesn;t explain where the error is.
Isn't it true that 10x3= 30,and isn't it true that if they get a dollar back ,they paid $9.And isn't it true that 3 times $9 = $27.And isn't it true that 27-2=29?.........so where is the buck? where is the error?..........If you would add zeros to that mistake , it would means thousands and millions of dollars.
What's wrong with this scenario?
Posts: 6353 | Location: u.s.a, south Florida | Registered: 06-03-02
Isn't it true that 10x3= 30,and isn't it true that if they get a dollar back ,they paid $9.And isn't it true that 3 times $9 = $27.And isn't it true that 27-2=29?.........so where is the buck? where is the error?
Sorry, I should be more explicit. The error (or trick) is that the $27 includes the $2! You're adding the $2 when you should merely add $3 to $27.
Each person's $9 includes money paid for the room (total $25) and money kept by the bellboy (total $2).
motzart, it is true that 27+2 is 29, and that is where most people make that mistake.
each man thought that he had paid 9 dollars for the room, right? 9 times 3 is 27, they thought they paid 27 dollars for the rooms BUT the bussboy kep 2 dollars for himself, 27-2 = 25 dollars. 25 dollars was what the manager charged for the rooms.
or you could go back from 30 dollars, 30 dollars paid initially, cashier takes 5 dollars out, 25 dollars in cash register for the rooms, 5 out, 5 -2 dollar tip, = 3 dollars goes back to the men the men each paid 9 dollars instead of 10 now, 27 dollars paid minus 2 dollar tip, = 25 for the rooms.
the question is worded to purposely be confusing and purposely make people search for that dollar but i hope that this clears some stuff up. -chris
Posts: 409 | Location: CT and TN USA | Registered: 06-03-02
