Where Did the Dollar Come From ? Puzzle - Solution
The Puzzle:
Two friends have a nice meal together, and the bill is $25
The friends pay $15 each, which the Waiter gives to the Cashier
The Cashier hands back $5 to the Waiter
The Waiter keeps $3 as a tip and hands back $1 each
So, the friends paid $14 each for the meal, for a total of $28. The Waiter has $3, and that makes $31. Where did the other dollar come from?
The friends pay $15 each, which the Waiter gives to the Cashier
The Cashier hands back $5 to the Waiter
The Waiter keeps $3 as a tip and hands back $1 each
So, the friends paid $14 each for the meal, for a total of $28. The Waiter has $3, and that makes $31. Where did the other dollar come from?
Our Solution:
$25 is sitting with the Cashier, $2 with the friends, and $3 with the Waiter. That adds to the required $30.
The mistake is expecting that what the men paid and what the Waiter kept to add up to what the men initially gave. In fact, it is the amount that the meal effectively cost them, plus the amount they received back, that should add to $30.
The mistake is expecting that what the men paid and what the Waiter kept to add up to what the men initially gave. In fact, it is the amount that the meal effectively cost them, plus the amount they received back, that should add to $30.
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