The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200

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In summary, three men paid $1200 each for a 2 bedroom suite at a hotel casino after gambling all day. However, the front desk clerk overcharged them by $800. When the mistake was noticed, the clerk gave the bell boy $800 to return to the men. The bell boy kept $200 for himself, resulting in the men only paying $1000 each for the room. There is no missing $400, as the bell boy's $200 theft is already factored into the total price.
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anamilasti
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4-20 After gambling all day, three men decided to get a room so they walked up to the front desk at the hotel casino. Desk clerk told them that the 2 bedroom suite is $3600 for one night. So the guys all chipped in $1200 to pay for this. They go to their room to get some much needed rest. After an hour the front desk clerk noticed that she had charged them $800 to much. The room was suspose to be $2800 with there comps that day. So she gave the bell boy $800 to take up to them. As he was riding in the elevator he stuffed $200 in his pocket thinking they would never notice nor that they would not tip him. Once he got to the room he handed each of them $200 a piece (equaling the $600 after stealing $200= $800). So now that the guys got refunded $200 back...

They all got back $200 which means they only paid $1000 a piece instead of $1200 a piece, Bell boy pocketed $200.....Math...3 Guys x $1000= $3000 bell boy stole $200...where is the other $400?
 
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  • #2
(edit)You are adding the $200 the bellboy stole and not subtracting it. If the bellboy gave all the money back then the total would be $2800, the price of the room. Since he stole $200 the men paid $3000 total for a $2800 room. There is no missing $400.

This reminds me of the change for a dollar con.
 
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  • #3
thats like saying
I give you 1500 dollars
you give me back 500
bassically i only payed you 1000
OMG LIKE WHERE IS THE OTHER MONEY?
well, its kinda obvious...isnt it
 

Related to The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200

What is "The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200"?

"The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200" is a famous mathematical puzzle that involves three men sharing a hotel room and a bellboy who overcharges them for $2. The total cost of the room is $27, but each man ends up paying $9, making the total amount paid $27 + $2 (overcharge) = $29. This leaves a missing $1, which is where the mystery lies.

How does the puzzle work?

The puzzle works by using a mathematical concept called the "missing dollar riddle." It involves the manipulation of numbers and the understanding of how money is distributed in order to solve the mystery of the missing $1.

What is the solution to "The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200"?

The solution to the puzzle is that the total amount paid by the three men ($27) and the overcharge paid to the bellboy ($2) should not be added together, as they are two separate transactions. Instead, the overcharge should be subtracted from the total amount paid, resulting in $27 - $2 = $25. This is the correct amount each man paid, and when multiplied by three, it equals the total cost of the room, $25 x 3 = $75. Therefore, the missing $1 is just an illusion, and there is no missing money in the puzzle.

Why is "The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200" considered a famous puzzle?

This puzzle has gained popularity due to its perceived complexity and the fact that it has puzzled and confused many people for years. It also requires critical thinking and the application of mathematical principles, making it a favorite among math enthusiasts and puzzle solvers.

Are there any variations of "The $400 Math Mystery: 3 Guys, a Bellboy & $1200"?

Yes, there are variations of this puzzle that involve different amounts of money and different scenarios. Some versions also involve more than three people and different types of transactions. However, the basic concept of the missing dollar riddle remains the same in all variations.

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