Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Maths question (is impossible)

  1. #1
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Maths question (is impossible)

    3 guys go into a shop to buy a TV, its 30 pound so they each pay 10 pound. As they're walking away the shop owner runs after them and told them they paid too much, the TV is only worth 25 pounds. They said for running up he can have 2 pounds and they had a pound each.

    they each paid 9 pound for the TV (3x9 = 27)
    they gave the shop owner 2 pound

    that makes 29 pound. Where did the extra pound dissappear ?
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  2. #2

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    They gave him 30 pounds. He runs after them with 5 pounds in his hand, leaving 25 behind. He gives them each one pound, and takes 2 back with him. Now each of the three men has one pound, making 3 pounds total outside the store. he takes back 2 pounds and puts it in with the 25 to make 27 pounds. 27 + 3 = 30

  3. #3
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    yes it works out when you do it that way i did that myself

    but they paid 9 pound each and gave him 2 pound how does the pound dissappear when you look at it that way ?
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  4. #4
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    but they paid 10 pounds and recieved a pound back each making thier total contribution 27 pounds
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  5. #5
    These titles are too shor Member TonkaToys's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Hitchin, UK
    Posts
    588

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleGrizzly
    but they paid 10 pounds and recieved a pound back each making thier total contribution 27 pounds
    Why don't we do an experiment... you send me 30 pounds in 3 batches of 10 pound coins. I'll send you back 1 pound from each batch... perhaps we can figure it out that way.
    I'm willing to keep trying until we figure it out!

  6. #6
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Quote Originally Posted by TonkaToys
    Why don't we do an experiment... you send me 30 pounds in 3 batches of 10 pound coins. I'll send you back 1 pound from each batch... perhaps we can figure it out that way.
    I'm willing to keep trying until we figure it out!
    lol
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  7. #7
    Urwendur Ûrîbêl Senior Member Mouzafphaerre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mikligarðr
    Posts
    6,899

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    -
    LOL! Good one there!
    _
    Ja mata Tosa Inu-sama, Hore Tore, Adrian II, Sigurd, Fragony

    Mouzafphaerre is known elsewhere as Urwendil/Urwendur/Kibilturg...
    .

  8. #8
    The Black Senior Member Papewaio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    15,677

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Start from the top.

    3 guys, 10 pounds each. 30 pounds.

    Shopkeeper makes a mistake, the total is 25 pounds.

    Mates decide that it is a decent thing and give the shopkeeper and extra two pounds. Total for the TV is now 27 pounds.

    Each of the mates pockets a pound each. For a total of 3 pounds change.

    The confusion is that the Cost of the TV is 27 pounds and the guys have 3 pounds change to add to that total (not the amount the shopkeeper pockets for honesty).
    Our genes maybe in the basement but it does not stop us chosing our point of view from the top.
    Quote Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
    Pape for global overlord!!
    Quote Originally Posted by English assassin
    Squid sources report that scientists taste "sort of like chicken"
    Quote Originally Posted by frogbeastegg View Post
    The rest is either as average as advertised or, in the case of the missionary, disappointing.

  9. #9
    Member Member USMCNJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Clifton, NJ
    Posts
    388

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    i could never get this
    30($ paid)-3($ back, $1 each) = 27
    27-2(tip) = 25
    30($ paid) -5 = 25 (real price)
    25=25
    how is this confusing?
    Last edited by USMCNJ; 10-05-2004 at 10:16.
    MILLER: I wish we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel.

    MILLER: Now, that would be pretty good.

  10. #10
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    look i realise it works one way but the point is it does not work the other

    they each paid 9 pound each, 3 of them making 27 pound with a 2 pound tip for the honest shop keeper that makes 29 pounds. how does the pound dissappear ?
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  11. #11
    Member Member USMCNJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Clifton, NJ
    Posts
    388

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleGrizzly
    look i realise it works one way but the point is it does not work the other

    they each paid 9 pound each, 3 of them making 27 pound with a 2 pound tip for the honest shop keeper that makes 29 pounds. how does the pound dissappear ?
    i don't get it. they each paid 9. that's 27
    25 for the TV and 2 for the tip. why are you adding the 2 to 27?
    MILLER: I wish we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel.

    MILLER: Now, that would be pretty good.

  12. #12
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    why are you adding the 2 to 27?

    the paid 9 pound each (the 27) the shop keepers tip (2) so im adding the 2 to 27 to get the total amount they paid
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  13. #13
    Senior Member Senior Member English assassin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    London, innit
    Posts
    3,734

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    look i realise it works one way but the point is it does not work the other

    they each paid 9 pound each, 3 of them making 27 pound with a 2 pound tip for the honest shop keeper that makes 29 pounds. how does the pound disappear ?
    Because you double count the two pounds that way. A pound has to be in the till for the TV, in the mens pockets as change, or in the shopkeepers pocket as a tip, right?

    When you say they paid £27, that is £25 in the till plus £2 in the shopkeepers pocket. You can't then go on to say that £27 plus the £2 pound tip makes £29, because you've counted the same tip money twice. (and the change not at all)
    "The only thing I've gotten out of this thread is that Navaros is claiming that Satan gave Man meat. Awesome." Gorebag

  14. #14
    The Black Senior Member Papewaio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    15,677

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    The two dollars is added to the 25... you are double counting the tip ($2) and not counting the amount the guys get back at any point ($3).

    You are essentially doing this:

    a) (Cost of TV) + Tip + Tip

    instead of

    b) (cost of TV) + Tip + Change.

    Cost of TV = $25
    Tip = $2
    Change = $3

    So Cost of TV + Tip = $27 (9 dollars each) leaving one pound to each in change (Change = $3).
    Our genes maybe in the basement but it does not stop us chosing our point of view from the top.
    Quote Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
    Pape for global overlord!!
    Quote Originally Posted by English assassin
    Squid sources report that scientists taste "sort of like chicken"
    Quote Originally Posted by frogbeastegg View Post
    The rest is either as average as advertised or, in the case of the missionary, disappointing.

  15. #15
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    ahh, thanks this will annoy my friend (always good)
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  16. #16
    The Black Senior Member Papewaio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Posts
    15,677

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Glad to help annoy someone else... particularly if your friend is English...
    Our genes maybe in the basement but it does not stop us chosing our point of view from the top.
    Quote Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
    Pape for global overlord!!
    Quote Originally Posted by English assassin
    Squid sources report that scientists taste "sort of like chicken"
    Quote Originally Posted by frogbeastegg View Post
    The rest is either as average as advertised or, in the case of the missionary, disappointing.

  17. #17
    This comment is witty! Senior Member LittleGrizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    The wilderness...
    Posts
    9,215

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    no much worse.... welsh (though being english im biased)

    according to him (though he is a compulsive lair) no-ones ever managed to answer this so congratulations on being smarter than everyone who's seen it
    In remembrance of our great Admin Tosa Inu, A tireless worker with the patience of a saint. As long as I live I will not forget you. Thank you for everything!

  18. #18
    Humanist Senior Member A.Saturnus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Aachen
    Posts
    5,181

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    I can assure you, a lot of people have answered it.

  19. #19
    Chief Sniffer Senior Member ichi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    3,132

    Lightbulb Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Start with three guys with ten each = 30
    minus 25 for the TV (30-25=5)
    minus two for the shopkeep (30-25-2=3)
    and each guy has one at the end (1+1+1=30-25-2=3)

    . . . accounting for all of the money

    NOT Start with three guys with ten each = 30
    They pay 30, but get five back (30-25=5)
    then they give the shopkeep two and split the remaining three so that they have 27 and shopkeep has 2 (=29 not 30)

    The deal starts with 30 and at the end the guys each have one (=3) and the shopkeep has 27 (25 for the TV and 2 for the tip)





    ichi
    Stay Calm, Be Alert, Think Clearly, Act Decisively

    CoH

  20. #20
    Member Member Phatose's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    PA, USA
    Posts
    591

    Default Re: Maths question (is impossible)

    Edit: Jeeze, in the time since I loaded this thread, it's been answered several times. Move along, nothing to see here.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Single Sign On provided by vBSSO