[thechat] Math was Mythology was comics

isaac isaac at members.evolt.org
Thu May 24 02:02:25 CDT 2001


> Sure, but can you explain this?
> (from http://www.karplus.org/eli/puzzles/ )

> $27, and the clerk had $2. $27 + $2 =$29, not $30. The question
> is: where is
> the missing dollar?


it's easy - you're adding the 3 9's, and then adding the 2. you're meant to
subtract the 2 - that gives you the $25 price of the room.


alot of people really struggle to figure it out.


dude one: spends $10, gets $1 - net result= -$9
dude two: spends $10, gets $1 - net result= -$9
dude three: spends $10, gets $1 - net result= -$9

clerk: gets $30 from the guys, loses $25 to manager, returns $3 to the guys
net result= +$2

manager: gets $30 from clerk, gives him $5 to return. net result= +$25


-9
-9
-9
----
-27

+2
+25
----
+27


-27 +27 = 0 = equilibrium.

q.e.f.d.

perhaps your blind faith makes you too trusting of the assertion that there
is a missing dollar? most people try to find the missing dollar. not many
check to see if there is a missing dollar in the first place.


isaac





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