Go to From The Observation Deck
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- Go to Time to melt your brain . . . but just a little!
Re:
That's true, C C T. When the bellhop explained the circumstance, the men should probably have just said "Aah, go ahead and keep it!" But then there wouldn't have been a riddle to solve! Hmmm . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on February 5, 2013 at 7:01 AM
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Re:
Well, mariss, from what I've always understood, bellhops and other like "servants" aren't supposed to take their own tips, regardless of whether or not it screws up any of the math! No matter what those salesmen ended up paying for that room, I doubt they will be going back there anytime soon! 
posted by
JimmyA
on February 5, 2013 at 6:59 AM
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Yes very annoying Jimmy they should have returned one dollar each as a tip and then there would be no problem. 
posted by
C_C_T
on February 5, 2013 at 12:45 AM
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It should all be fine if they got their dollar back, even if they did overpay 2$. They no doubt used more utilities. The person probably failed to mention the extra dollar he pocketed, no big tip anyway!!
posted by
mariss9
on February 4, 2013 at 6:24 PM
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Re: Re: Re: Jimmy
You're absolutely right, Naut. Some people get deceived by the direction of the math . . . subtracting instead of adding ( and mulitplying the three 9's throws it off too ). That's what makes it a "fun" riddle! At least I thought it was fun!
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 1:36 PM
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Re:
Don't worry about it, FSI. There is no missing dollar! It's just a "math trick," one not worth getting all flustered over!
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 1:33 PM
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Re: Good riddle; I enjoy 'em even though I'm not too quick on the draw
Yes they are, Katray! And your brain saw that correctly! Just by reversing the math, the total comes out right! Accounting is a hazy business indeed . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 1:30 PM
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Re:
Actually, lustor, the bellhop had kept 2, and that was already figured into the equation. The truth is, there is no missing dollar. It's a "math trick" that gives the appearance of a missing dollar! Confusing, isn't it?
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 1:22 PM
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Re: Re: Jimmy
Of course! That's what my answer shows - there is no missing dollar. It only appears to be missing if you add rather than subtract the 2 bucks...
posted by
Nautikos
on February 4, 2013 at 11:32 AM
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I myself am stumped...
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on February 4, 2013 at 11:22 AM
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Good riddle; I enjoy 'em even though I'm not too quick on the draw
solving them, especially mathy ones...:)
My brain sees it as 25.00 for the room, a 3.00 refund to the men and 2.00 kept by the bellhop which equals $30.00. Of course that is still just 9.00 per man; a matter of perspective, I guess, lol...Accounting can be a hazy business; pays pretty good but often makes one want to pull one's graying hair out. Ah tricky math, thy welcoming homes are government and corporations...
posted by
Katray2
on February 4, 2013 at 8:39 AM
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wouldnt it be 1 the bell hop kept?
posted by
Lanetay
on February 4, 2013 at 7:49 AM
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Re:
Sorry about that, lion, especially so early in the morning! I hope your brain won't hurt come tax time! Uncle Sam doesn't particularly like "math tricks!"
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 6:17 AM
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Re:
I know, adnohr, that's what a lot of people might think . . . that Uncle Sam got a hand in there somehow! Don't worry . . . there is no right answer, because there actually is no missing dollar! It's just a bit of math chicanery! I know, I know . . . fun, but confusing . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 6:15 AM
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eep! Counting - that does make my brain hurt
posted by
lionreign
on February 4, 2013 at 6:13 AM
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Re: Jimmy
That's a different twist, Naut, but the truth is, there is no missing dollar. It's not as though you're solving to find that missing dollar, but instead simply changing the direction of the math to make it appear as though a dollar is missing ( the Law of Diminishing Returns ). Thanks for playing . . . your brain didn't melt too much on this one, did it?
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 6:11 AM
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Re: JimmyA
I don't blame you, Wiley. Personally I've always liked riddles like this because they're good mental exercises, like doing crossword puzzles or tuning in to Jeopardy from time to time. And if you ever do solve the "riddle of life," let me know . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 6:08 AM
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Re: i can't do Maths I suppose it went to the Government as always.
That's okay, Kabu. It was all in fun anyway! Don't worry . . . there is no right answer, because there is no missing dollar! It's a "math trick," and probably not a very good one, since everyone is really confused now! No, the government missed out on this one!
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 6:01 AM
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Re:
If that were truly the case, Utah, then we're all in a lot of trouble! Even Uncle Sam can do better at math than this!
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 5:59 AM
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Re: good riddle
You're very close, skye! You properly reversed the order of the math, to get from $25 back to $30, but in all actuality, there is no missing dollar! It's an equation that promotes the mathematical Law of Diminishing Returns. You still win a cookie though . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 5:58 AM
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Re:
Thanks, sam. And I hate to say it but . . . you're not even close! The riddle is basically a "trick," adding instead of subtracting, multiplying instead of dividing. It's a manipulation of the numbers that gives it its unusual result. Hopefully things like this won't confuse you come tax time!
posted by
JimmyA
on February 4, 2013 at 5:53 AM
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I have seen that riddle before too - can't remember either who posted it. Naut seems to have found the solution. And Kabu is probably the most accurate, LOL!
posted by
adnohr
on February 4, 2013 at 3:31 AM
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Jimmy
The correct answer is that you must subtract, not add the bellhop's 2 bucks. Thus you get: -30+5-2=-27, and that's what they paid, 9 bucks each!
posted by
Nautikos
on February 3, 2013 at 9:46 PM
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JimmyA
I hate riddles, living the riddle of life is enough for me pard.
posted by
WileyJohn
on February 3, 2013 at 8:15 PM
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i can't do Maths I suppose it went to the Government as always.
posted by
Kabu
on February 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM
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Lets just chalk it up to tax.
posted by
UtahJay
on February 3, 2013 at 4:16 PM
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good riddle
The room was 25.00 plus 3 back equals 28.00 and 2 for the bell hop equals 30.00. the dollar is in the bell hops pocket.
posted by
skye08
on February 3, 2013 at 2:44 PM
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The reason the riddle is insolvible is because they actually each paid $8.33 with 1 cent left of over and they would have to cut it into thirds! LOL! They were given a dollar back to make it $9.33 each with 1 cent remaining! But in terms of how the riddle is presented it won't work because one needs to determine the amount based on the $25 instead of the $30! At least that's how I added it all up! LOL! Good one! sam 
posted by
sam444
on February 3, 2013 at 2:39 PM
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