Math Paradox

[Rocketman]

Okay folks, try this one (if you've seen this before, don't immediately spoil it for the newbies!):

3 men go to a hotel to rent 1 room.

The desk clerk says there is a 3 bed suite for $30.00.

Each man pays $10.00 and go to the room.

The hotel manager questions the desk clerk.

The hotel manager tells the desk clerk the room is only $25.00.

The hotel manager gives the clerk a 5 dollar bill to pay the men back.

On the way to the room the clerk realizes a 5 dollar bill can’t be split
3 ways. Dishonestly, he keeps 2 dollars and gives each man back 1 dollar.

Now the 3 men paid $27.00 for the room, and the clerk has 2 dollars.

$27.00 + $2.00 = $29.00.

Where did the other dollar go?

 

[Kane52630]

My Answer?

edit: but seriously, whats up with these math threads?

 

[Suirou]

Three men paid 30 dollars for a room. 30
the manager said it's 25 so he gave the clerk 5 dollars.
he decides to keep 2 dollars and give the men a dollars each so that would be 3 dollars.

25 + 3 = 28, not 27 dollars.
The clerk has 2 dollars so therefore, 28 + 2= 30.

 

[ChillyWilly]

Three men paid 30 dollars for a room. 30
the manager said it's 25 so he gave the clerk 5 dollars.
he decides to keep 2 dollars and give the men a dollars each so that would be 3 dollars.

25 + 3 = 28, not 27 dollars.
The clerk has 2 dollars so therefore, 28 + 2= 30.

The problem states that the three men PAID $27 for the room. In fact, they paid $25 for the room, and $2 to the clerk.

The men are out a total of $27, no matter how you cut it.

The problem uses confusing wording intentionally. You're not supposed to add the $27 and $2, because the $2 is INCLUDED in the $27.

$25 room + $2 pocketed + $3 returned = $30.

Took me a while to figure that out.

 

[Manic]

The hotel manager gives the clerk a 5 dollar bill to pay the men back.

On the way to the room the clerk realizes a 5 dollar bill can’t be split
3 ways. Dishonestly, he keeps 2 dollars and gives each man back 1 dollar.

What I want to know is, when did the clerk turn the 5 dollar bill into 5 singles?

 

[Danalys]

he only needed 3 singles

 

[Manic]

Yeah, but if the remaining $2 wasn't in singles, then we're talking about a 2 dollar bill. Nobody actually carries 2 dollar bills.

 

[Danalys]

he had 8 dollars on him or more after getting the 5. he kept the 5. no 2 dollar bill needed.

 

[Ipodman]

I don't want to know what the 3 men did in the room...

 

[Aesop Rocks]

I don't want to know what the 3 men did in the room...

 

[HighFivingMF]

A wizard did it.

 

[Danalys]

the best way to think of it is that is should be -27 plus 2 equals -25.

the hotel has 25 the bellhop has 2 the guys have 3.

 

[Calvin]

No no it's -27 / 2(-25), so the answer is 9.

 

[Troy_Parker]

Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerds.

 

[C. Lee]

Yeah, but if the remaining $2 wasn't in singles, then we're talking about a 2 dollar bill. Nobody actually carries 2 dollar bills.

Carries with them or haves.....I have several $2 bills in my collection.

 

[Calvin]

My mom has held onto like over a hundred 2 dollar bills. Not sure why.

 

[Danalys]

My mom has held onto like over a hundred 2 dollar bills. Not sure why.

it's like the mona lisa of notes every time you think jefferson is displaying one thing it then immediately looks like he's expressing something else.

 

[Manic]

I used to have a small collection of 2 dollar bills and gold dollar coins.

I eventually spent them.

 

[chaseter]

I collect US coins and paper monies and I have a ton of 2 dollar bills. It's amazing that some people have never even seen a 2 dollar bill. Try to use one at a McDonalds or somewhere teenagers or young adults work and they will call in their manager to question it. It's hilarious.

The answer has already been figured out, they pay $30, room costs $25, they get back $3, the guy keeps $2. $30 = $25 + $3 + $2.

 

[Manic]

That's one in the study, one in the chandelier, two to open the door, and one in the singing telegram. That's 1+1+2+1
[/Clue]

 

[Erzengel]

The answer is to stab the lying Hotel Clerk.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Stabbing is a bit extreme. I'd fire them over it.


And then stab them.

 

[Ipodman]

The butler did it.

 

[WillardNation]

The butler did it.

I thought that exact sentence literally right before I scrolled down to your post. Freaky.

 

[Shemtov]

Imagine the $30.00 as a pot. $5.00 are taken out of it , leaving 25 dollars. 3 are given too ye men. if you add That to ye pot , you get 28 dollars. thus 2 are left over. so it all works out.