Math Problem. Missing dollar as usual. lol

Hello members. Been awhile since I have posted. Been working on apps. I have a math problem. Here is the equation.

3 guys go to a hotel and rent a room.
Hotel clerk charges them 30 dollars.
After they leave clerk realizes room should only be 25 dollars.
Gives 5 dollars to bell boy to take to the 3 guys.
After finding them and explaining mistake they say.
Give us each back one dollar and keep 2 as a tip.
They started out each paying 10 dollars. 3x10 = 30 original cost.
Each now get back one dollar. =9 each. 3x9=27
Bell boy got 2 dollars.
27+2=29
They started out with 30 dollars.
Where is the missing dollar???

 

When each guy got back $1 and $2 given as bellboy tip. The base amount each guy shared is $25 (not $30) which is $8.33 for each. No single dollar is missing.

Thank you for posting a tricky question globalgenius! It's working thinking.

 

27-2 = 25
30-25 = 5 (the amount bellboy had before giving $3 to 3 persons)

So, 27+2 is the wrong part. It must be 27-2

 

Thank you for your replies. All good answers but the root of the problem is that the numeral system is not accurate. That is why a lot of countries now use the metric system. If you try and divide the 5 dollars you will get a 1.6666 indefinite number. If you did the equation like I first stated, it will not work. Imagine now you are dealing with millions of dollars. Who gets the missing million? lol If the numeral system was accurate, the math equation should work any way you calculate. I told this one to a government accountant while flying to Vancouver one day. I like how I had him baffled. When he left the plane he said "when I find that dollar, I will send it to you!" You were on the right track Shawn, but rounding off numbers is not accurate. Have a good day all.

 

We don't have any number ($5 / 3 = $1.66) to be rounded.
The fix is simple as I wrote above. Bell boy was given $5.
- "Gives 5 dollars to bell boy to take to the 3 guys."
When bellboy gives $1 each to 3 customers then bell boy will have its $2 tip: 5-3 = $2
The answer is simple.

In another way,
If bell boy gives $10 x 3 to the customers and gets back $9 x3 = $27 he should take his $2 tip from $27. Then bell boy should bring $25 to the cashier. (assuming he was given $10x3 =$30 by the cashier)
You can NOT add $2 tip to $27. That is the wrong part of this math problem. Bell boy should not give $29 to the cashier. (assuming he was given $10x3 =$30 by the cashier)

 

You obviously do not get it. The math does not work as stated in the equation. If the numeral system was accurate it would work any way you add or subtract the numbers. Twisting the equation to what you like does not change the fact that the numeral system is not accurate. Metric system is better.

 

I agree. I didn't get. I was thinking there is a math problem needs to be solved.
I see that you are more focused on opening a debate about numeral system. You could open a debate without asking a wrong math problem especially if you don't care about the solution. That's what I don't get.

On the other hand, if I ignore the unnecessary math problem above, yes I agree, 5/3 is a real life issue to some extent, especially for accountants and similar professionals.
But.. I am also thinking that nobody can disagree on such an obvious fact. In the end, we don't have a real debate as well.

 

Actually I made a the post to show that the numeral system is inaccurate. The math does not work in my previous equation. Sure we all know 25 + 5 = 30. When you try and do the division problems arise. I mean no disrespect. Thank you for your comments.