Are you smart enough?

Question

My husband told me this question in which i originally thought was a joke now he says it's this big mathematical equation and he wants to see if i can come up with the answer so here it is cause i don't know the answer:
Bill Bob and Joe want to rent a motel rooom
they tell the manager they have $10 each
the manger says thats fine and gives them a room key the owner stops by and says
I'm sorry we charged you the suite price the room price is $25 here's 5$
bill says i don't know how to divide 5 by 3 so take 2$ back
so bill bob and joe each paid $10 for the room they got a $1 refund each
so they really only paid $9 for the room the owner got a 2$ tip
so 3 times 9 is 27 and a 2$ tip makes 29 where is the other 1$

First correct answer get 10 points for best answer, please provide links if you have them verifying your answer.
Thank You!

Answer 1

I am a bit rusty at logic, but let’s give it a shot.

A valid argument is defined as one where if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true. If a premise of an argument is false, the conclusion is not supported. Logically, this cannot be answered. The reason: the conclusion is not supported due to a false premise.

1. 3 men paid $10 a piece for a hotel room.
2. the 3 men paid a total of $30 for the room.
3. the shopkeeper later realized the room costs $25 not $30.
4. the bellboy was sent to refund $5 to the 3 men.
5. the bell boy returned only $3 to the men and kept $2 for himself.
6. the 3 men now have spent only $9 a piece on the room.
7. the 3 men now have spent a total of $27 on the room.
8. the $27 the men spent plus the $2 the bellboy kept totals $29
9. $30 minus $29 equals $1
10. therefore, $1 is missing.

#8 is the culprit. While this statement on its own could be true, in the context of this argument, it is false. It was established in #7 what the total amount of money spent was. You cannot have 2 totals, you can have a subtotal and a total, but the term subtotal was not used. This would be kind of similar to saying "I bought something for $1.00. The total after tax is $1.10 (assuming a 10% tax). $1.10 plus tax (at 10%) totals $1.21."

Everyone here is correct. Part of the logical argument is simple arithmetic and cannot be eliminated. The false proposition in #8 is due to an error in simple arithmetic.


1. 3 men paid $10 a piece for a hotel room.
2. the 3 men paid a total of $30 for the room.
3. the shopkeeper later realized the room costs $25 not $30.
4. the bellboy was sent to refund $5 to the 3 men.
5. the bell boy returned only $3 to the men and kept $2 for himself.
6. the 3 men now have spent only $9 a piece on the room.
7. the 3 men now have spent a total of $27 on the room.
8. $25 to the shopkeeper for the room plus the $2 mandatory tip to the bellboy totals $27 for the night (not just the room).
9. The $27 total the men spent minus the $27 total for the night equals $0.
10. therefore, $0 is missing.

We cannot answer this question because a mathematical answer/explanation is not allowed for a mathematical error.

I hope this all makes sense. I have not thought about logical arguments for a while.

What do you think?

Assisted Answer from MASQUERAID
Date: 03/11/2006 11:44AM PST
Grade: A
Assisted Answer

Less a logical proof, but as already described the ACTUAL room price was $25 split three ways
The $5 the bell boy is given is the difference between the ACTUAL price and the price paid

So the bell boy takes the guys their change and keeps $2

Each of the guys has spent $8.33 on the room, gets $1 change and the bell boy is up $2

$ 8.33
$ 8.33
$ 8.33
$ 1.00
$ 1.00
$ 1.00
$ 2.00
=====
$29.99

+ I get $0.01 on every time this puzzle is solved

=====
$30.00

Answer 2

No they didn't pay $9 for the room each they paid:

25/3 = 8.33 each + $2 for owner = $27
Leaving the $1 they each got back as a refund to make up the remaining $3 to give $30.

Hope I have explained clearly enough!
Good Luck!

Answer 3

They paid $27 and each got $1 change, making $30. Ignore the $2 they gave back to the manager, it is only there to confuse you.

Answer 4

Many believe Global Warming is a Hoax.

Answer 5

folks ahead have already given u the right answer..dont want to repeat it..

Answer 6

i will be smart if i dont answer this question.