Math Is Fun Forum

Alyssa

Guest

I need help

Three friends have a nice meal together, and the bill is $25

The three friends pay $10 each, which the waiter gives to the Cashier

The Cashier hands back $5 to the Waiter

But the Waiter can't split $5 three ways, so he gives the friends one dollar each and keeps 2 dollars as a tip.

They all paid $10 and got $1 back. $10-$1 = $9

There were three of them 3 X $9 = $27

If they paid $27 and the waiter kept $2: $27+$2=$29

Where did the other dollar go? $30 - $1 = $29

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 48,045

Re: I need help

Alyssa,
The three friends each gave $10, got back $1. Each of te three spent $9.
That makes the the total amount spent as $27.
Out of this, $25 goes to the hotel, and $2 as tip to the waiter.
$27 = $25 + $2

If they paid $27 and the waiter kept $2: $27+$2=$29

Here's where the mistake lies.
$2 shouldn't be added to $27, as it is a part of the amount of $27 spent by the three friends, the remaining major part, $25, for the meals.

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