Posted: 7/15/2009 1:41:03 PM EDT
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My co-worker passed this around today and the guys in our department had to bust out the visual aids to rationalize it. See what you think. If you've seen this before...sorry!
Sailor Brain Teaser Three sailors walk into a motel and ask how much it would cost to spend the evening. The manager tells them that it will cost $30 for all three. Each sailor gives the hotel manager $10. Later the manager realizes that he made a mistake. Because it is a weekday the cost is $25, not $30. He gives $5 to the bell-boy and tells him to return the money to the sailors. The bell-boy decides to keep $2 and returns the remaining $3 to the sailors; $1 to each sailor. Each sailor paid $10 but was refunded $1, netting $9 each. $9 times 3 (number of sailors) equals $27. $27 plus the $2 that the bell-boy kept equals $29. Who has the last dollar?? |
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the part where it throws you is in the addition at the end. 3 x $9 does equal $27, but the $2 tip is included in that $27, so it makes no sense to add the $2 to $27 to make $29. They paid $25 for the hotel room, $2 for the tip ($27), and then got $1 back each to make the original $30.
what do i win? |
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The room should have cost each one $8-1/3. Each then paid $1-2/3 extra at $10. They each got $1 back, meaning they are still short $2/3 and that is the $2 the bellhop pocketed. Or consider the rebate, divided by 3. Which didn't happen....but if it would have, each one would have received a $5/3 rebate. They only received $3/3 rebate so each "gave" $2/3 to the bellhop. Commutative Law of Multiplication. |
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Quoted:
the part where it throws you is in the addition at the end. 3 x $9 does equal $27, but the $2 tip is included in that $27, so it makes no sense to add the $2 to $27 to make $29. They paid $25 for the hotel room, $2 for the tip ($27), and then got $1 back each to make the original $30. what do i win? Long distance applause. It took us alot longer than that. There's a few different ways to look at it, both of your solutions were discussed. |
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Quoted:
My co-worker passed this around today and the guys in our department had to bust out the visual aids to rationalize it. See what you think. If you've seen this before...sorry! Sailor Brain Teaser Three sailors walk into a motel and ask how much it would cost to spend the evening. The manager tells them that it will cost $30 for all three. Each sailor gives the hotel manager $10. Later the manager realizes that he made a mistake. Because it is a weekday the cost is $25, not $30. He gives $5 to the bell-boy and tells him to return the money to the sailors. The bell-boy decides to keep $2 and returns the remaining $3 to the sailors; $1 to each sailor. Each sailor paid $10 but was refunded $1, netting $9 each. $9 times 3 (number of sailors) equals $27. $27 plus the $2 that the bell-boy kept equals $29. Who has the last dollar?? I stumped my Trig teacher with this one way back in '84. 
Total price was $25, bell boy kept $2 gave $3 back. 25+2+3=30 The tom foolery is in making it look like the sailors paid $27 when in all actuality they paid $25 and the bell boy needs a butt whoopin for stealing. |