Goofy Math Riddle

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

This one tends to stump normal, ostensibly intelligent people. I suspect, however, that the denizens of this swamp will nail it quickly.

3 guys check into a motel. The desk clerk says the room is $30, so each guy hands him a $10. The 3 guys go to the room.

A bit later, the manager sees the registration and tells the desk clerk he made a mistake and the room is only $25. desk clerk takes 5 $1 bills and heads to the room. The 3 guys in the room thank him, each takes $1 back and gives the desk clerk a $2 tip.

Now each guy spent $10 - $1 change = $9 x 3 = $27 + $2 tip = $29

Where's the other $1 go?

(note): please take any speculation on what the 3 guys are doing in one room over to the *homosexuality* thread [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[billygrippo]

well the cleark still has 2$ extra, plus he now has an extra 3$ total from the tips. so the romm cost 33$ now.

[Who Shot JR]

I remember this riddle from when I was a kid [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

It's all in the problem statement actually. The deceiving part is that 9x3=27, and 27+2=29.

Of course, this is true, but it's far from an accurate picture of how the $5 is disbursed. It's really 9x3=27, and 27-2=25. So the entire $5 that the manager gives back is accounted for.

[wh1t3bread]

Well actually each dude has $1.
The Hotel has $25.
The Clerk has $2.

($1 x 3) + $25 + $2 = $30

That's an old riddle, haven't seen that one for a while.

[billygrippo]

[ QUOTE ]
The 3 guys in the room thank him, each takes $1 back and gives the desk clerk a $2 tip.

[/ QUOTE ]

isnt this saying that each guy in the room gives the clerk 2$?

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

Sorry. Change line to say, "they let the clerk keep $2 as a tip."

sheesh. I post a math riddle and get my composition skills critiqued. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[mostsmooth]

anybody know the one where theres three boxes and one has a prize and you pick one and then the host shows you an empty box and asks if you want to change? anybody heard of that one?

[hmkpoker]

The Monty Hall situation, discussed to death.

[mostsmooth]

[ QUOTE ]
The Monty Hall situation, discussed to death.

[/ QUOTE ]
really?
i guess its pretty obvious to not change then?

[graydot]

Is the problem really because of the fractions or is it because its worded incorrectly. Or just that you can look at it both ways?