Image Courtesy of Tenor.com (possibly Getty Images also)
The Riddle
Three men went to a hotel to share a room for the night, and the clerk stated it was $30. Each handed him $10 and went to their room. Then the clerk realized it was only a $25 room. He had overcharged. He gave the bellboy a $5 bill to return to the men.
On the way up the elevator, the bellboy said, how can I divide this $5 bill among the three men? So he decided to make it simple, keeping a $2 tip, telling them there was an overcharge, and handing each of the three men a $1 refund.
Each man provided $10 of the initial $30 room cost, less $1 each received as a refund, paying $9. $9 times 3 equals $27, plus $2 the bellboy kept equals $29. What happened to the other dollar (of the $30)?
[Food for Thought:
Do you believe mathematics is always an exact science, and nine times three is always 27?]
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My Adolescent Memory of It, Sure Enough, From My Big Brother, The Laugh of a Lifetime
My big brother (about ten years older) and I were sitting on a picnic table (the usual, on top, and yes, I said big, staying that way forever). I was about 16 then. He never hurt me in the slightest, no teasing or harsh scolding, waking him sleeping or whatever, unusual with the age difference. However, This Seemed Borderline!
The nerve of him, just up and leaving like that, telling it, but when finished and I asked for the answer, he said, Oh, I Don’t Know! He was instantly off the table, gone, totally out of there, timely! The nerve, leaving me like that, not knowing the answer but audacious enough to provide a big quandary!
As I write this, and reflect on his personality, later known much better, it is hilarious. He is the king of humor in any group, large groups too, and you will know it, and him, if you do not already, with a loud horse laugh heard outside the building, constantly going off! “A person of his stature” (“quite properly!”) had an absolute obligation to tell this story And Forget The Answer!
Nevertheless, Do Not Do This To Anyone. My big brother is a one-of-a-kind exception! Please, only share it when sure of the answer.
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You decide, but depending on the circumstances, it may not be wrong to inform them there will be no hint or answer until you hear a Close-Enough Response, Sounding Significantly On The Right Path. When unsure, you should err on the side of at least providing some form of a hint. Please be aware, that has been and is my policy. We are human beings. Hopefully, making them struggle will allow them to feel some sense of human obligation. They may discover the answer. However, again, you decide.
I only received an impromptu close-enough response (sounding significantly on the right path) approximately three times in my lifetime. However, it has been in-person contact with only about 25 to 40 people. Also, all should consider that they have been trying to come up with an answer without preparation, an unfair emphasis on speed that misses a lot. I do not know how many people later figured it out.
Truthfully, I do not think it is necessarily an indicator of intellect. Possibly associated, it primarily is evidence of the drive to determine this answer. However, it is nevertheless my firm belief that drive throughout life can gradually expand the mind and intellect.
There has not been comprehensive research on the riddle’s source and whether it is copyright or other legally protected material.
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A Notable Response, With Cautionary Considerations Applicable To Many Other Situations Readers May Encounter:
It was a full-time university accounting professor and a part-time lecturer authoring CPA continuing education material. His response on the correct path to the answer was so near-instant that he likely heard it before (no need to press him fully on explaining it). It Was A Privilege To Have Known Him, a down-to-earth person with no need to prove anything, but not revealing he heard it did not necessarily mean he was not “tested” with it before (possibly by more than one student too). It is a peculiarity accounted for by the distinctive fact that 1) students constantly Try to “test” him But, Be Sure, 2) He Does The “Testing!” It is safe to assume that “testing” Any full-time university professor hits a sore spot! I Should Have Known Better! He probably resented “tests” with a passion, even though I was a practicing CPA/attorney. Again, the response was so near-instant that he had more likely than not heard it before.
The cautionary considerations above apply to many other situations readers may encounter. Please, use appropriate discretion. Some people will be offended, whether you realize it, e.g., those making a living from their reputation and intellect, so apply advance discretion.
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It is hard for anyone to have an impromptu close-enough response. Expect many people to struggle to express their thoughts, stutter, whatever. Therefore, please, remember to Promptly be fair to anyone when you think you May have heard a response significantly on the right path. You will find a surprising link to the answer below.
Sincerely, /L.S., Frank Lawrence, Sr./
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