Question for the logical amongst you.....

[El Presidente]

My son asked me this a few minutes ago over dinner......I need your help as I said I would have an answer for him tomorrow

Make me look smart fella's

Three men paid $30 for three rooms ($10 each)

The innkeeper decided to only charge them $25 and sent the bellboy up to the rooms to give them the $5 change.

Not knowing how to split the $5....he gave each of the three men $1 and kept $2 for himself.

So each of the men has now paid $9

$9 + $9 +$9 = $27 + the $2 the boy kept = $29

Where did the other $1 go?

[cigarnv]

The key here is to remain focused on what the men paid.. $25, not $27. The men paid $30 less the $3 returned= $27 less the $2 the bellboy kept $27-2=$25.

In another way of looking at it the men paid $25 got 3 back = $28 and then the bellboy kept 2 + 28=$30

The cofusion exists in the fact that each man actually paid $8.33 (25/3) plus got a $1 back =$9.33

This is a take on a classic paradox with a basis in confusion. One must keep focused on what goes in and out of each mans pocket individually rather than all the men at one time.

[genevapics]

What cigarnv said.

[DocRKS]

Here's my approach to the problem - when the bellman comes up with the dollar - you tell him "fuhgeddaboutit and keep the friggin dollar" - that way he makes $5 for himself ---- problem solved.:-)

PS - I can't begin to tell you how comfortable I feel that the man who charges my credit cards on such a regular basis had to appeal for help in figuring this one out ...... ;-)

[El Presidente]

» Here's my approach to the problem - when the bellman comes up with the

» dollar - you tell him "fuhgeddaboutit and keep the friggin dollar" - that

» way he makes $5 for himself ---- problem solved.:-)

»

» PS - I can't begin to tell you how comfortable I feel that the man who

» charges my credit cards on such a regular basis had to appeal for help in

» figuring this one out ...... ;-)

Lisa charges your credit card, processes your order, orders stock, reconciles stock and accounts, handles correspondence, is a master of cigar selection and gives me a hug when I need one.

Smithy is in charge of logistics, packing, shipping, selection, and advising me on why Mark Webber can't win a Formula 1 race.

I am in charge of....um...of...."the big picture"....which just happens to require a great deal of time contemplating on the rocking chair with a cigar and a glass of wine ...just outside my office ;-)

[Fatshotbud]

» » Here's my approach to the problem - when the bellman comes up with the

» » dollar - you tell him "fuhgeddaboutit and keep the friggin dollar" -

» that

» » way he makes $5 for himself ---- problem solved.:-)

» »

» » PS - I can't begin to tell you how comfortable I feel that the man who

» » charges my credit cards on such a regular basis had to appeal for help

» in

» » figuring this one out ...... ;-)

»

» Lisa charges your credit card, processes your order, orders stock,

» reconciles stock and accounts, handles correspondence, is a master of

» cigar selection and gives me a hug when I need one.

»

» Smithy is in charge of logistics, packing, shipping, selection, and

» advising me on why Mark Webber can't win a Formula 1 race.

»

» I am in charge of....um...of...."the big picture"....which just happens to

» require a great deal of time contemplating on the rocking chair with a

» cigar and a glass of wine ...just outside my office ;-)

Thanks goodness for our gal Lisa

[habanohal]

The whole buisness sounds like a well oiled machine

[Ken Gargett]

where the hell can you stay for $10 a night?

[Elric]

I'm just thankful that Lisa does the math at CC!

[Vetteman]

Another way to frame the issue is when you say the men paid $27 ($9 ea.), it already incudes the $2 for the bellboy, so you don't add it in again.