Mathematic Deception

[Wil_Bloodworth]

So...

Three gentlement go out of town for a business conference. They arrive at their hotel and decide that they're going to share a room. The concierge tells the men that the room is $30. They each give the concierge a $10 bill... totalling $30. The concierge gives them their key to room 321 and asks the bellhop to show them to their room.

A few minutes later, the concierge realizes that he has charged the men too much money. The actual price of the room is $25. He calls the bellhop over and gives him 5 $1 bills and tells him to take and refund the money to the men in room 321.

As the bellhop gets close to the room, he decides that since there are 3 men and no way to split $5 three equal ways, that he will keep $2 and give each of the men $1... thus accounting for the $5 given to him by the concierge.

Since each of the men initially paid $10 and the bellhop return $1 to each of them, then each of the men paid $9. So, $9 times 3 men = $27. The bellhop has $2 in his pocket. $27 + $2 = $29.

Where's the other $1?

- Wil

[jeffkohn]

$25 to the hotel + $2 to the bellhop + $1 to each of the three men = $30.

[boxofrocks]

Let us know where it went. I read this and I still have no idea.

[brad]

Originally Posted by ParkImaging

Since each of the men initially paid $10 and the bellhop return $1 to each of them, then each of the men paid $9. So, $9 times 3 men = $27. The bellhop has $2 in his pocket. $27 + $2 = $29.

Where's the other $1?

The problem is that this logic counts the money paid to the bellhop twice.. the $2 in his pocket is already included in the $27... And doesn't count the money given back to the men.... you can only count the money given to the bellhop once... $25 to the hotel, $2 to the deceitful bastard (I mean bellhop), and $3 given back to the men.

[ShaneKislack]

$27 + $2 does indeed = $27<BR>
but $25 (to the hotel) + $2 to the bellhop + $3 back to the men= $30<BR>

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I know... it's just funny to tell it like I did... it really confuses people when you say it like this:

Well, each guy paid $10 right? Yes. And each of them received $1 back right? Yes. That means each of them only paid in $9 right? Yes. And the bellhop has $2 right? Yes. So... if they each paid $9 and the bellhop has $2... $9*3+$2=$29...

I just love the look on their faces at that point.

- Wil

[ShaneKislack]

It is very confusing.

[Gambit]

Men paid $30. Manager refunds $5. Bellhop keeps $2, returns $3, meaning the men actually paid $27. There is no $29, never was. It makes as much sense as me saying, "look, 30 + 5 + 2 + 3: It means the men actually paid $40!!"

It's a bit of misdirection. What are we counting? (don't say money, that's not what I mean.) If we are counting the amount the men paid, that's $27. If we're counting the cost of the room, it's $25. If we're counting the change, that's $5 or 2+1+1+1.

This equation:
"$27 + $2 = $29"

Should actually be
"$27 - $2 = $25" which is the cost of the room. The $29 dollar equation is pulling a figure from part of the problem and moving it around, mixing it up with another part of the problem. Sleight of hand - er, pencil - if you will. In the context of the problem description, it is nonsense.

[brad]

Ok, do we discuss the mathematical proof that girls are evil next?

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by brad

Ok, do we discuss the mathematical proof that girls are evil next?

NO!

[Gambit]

My wife reads these forums. I should probably stay out of that one... :)

[brad]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

NO!

Awwww... its fun. :)

[engstrom]

Originally Posted by brad

Ok, do we discuss the mathematical proof that girls are evil next?

You mean this one?

We know that women like two things, your time and your money, therefore...

women = time x money

Now time equals money, so

women = money x money

Money is the root of all evil, so

money = square root of evil

Squaring both sides of the equation we get

money squared = evil

As stated before

women = money x money

Therefore

women = money squared = evil

[HeatherLou]

You both are just BAD BAD men!

[engstrom]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

You both are just BAD BAD men!

But Heather, we looooooooooove you!