Anyone know the answer to the following famous riddle?

[rut]

Three friends tried to book a room in a hotel costing �30 a night. However there was only one left so the manager decided to let them share it. But after they had checked in he felt guilty for charging them the full price so he sent a bellboy up to the room with a �5 refund to split between them. They didn't know how to split this so they took a pound each and gave the remaining �2 to the bellboy. This meant that the men had paid �9 each (�27) and the bellboy had �2. So where did the remaining pound go??

[artisan]

They didn't pay �9 each, they each paid �10 and got a �1 back. The �2 is irrevelant, its a bit that doesn't fit.

[geofbob]

I'm not sure you'll find this convincing, but this is simply a matter of adding up the wrong elements. First, the business of there being 3 men, and the manager changing his mind, are just red herrings. Even if there was one guest, and he gave the manager �30 for a �25 room, and then gave the bellboy �2 of his �5 change, you might still think he'd paid �27 for the room (�30 less the �3 in his hand), given �2 to the bellboy, and wonder where the thirtieth pound had gone - but you would be making the same mistake. After all, suppose he gave the whole �5 change to the bellboy, would you then say he'd paid �30 for the room, and given �5 to the bellboy, making �35; so �5 had come out of thin air? The correct equation is that at the end of the transaction the manager has �25, the guest(s) �3, and the bellboy �2; making �30 in all.

[HEADEY]

The room cost �30 a night and there was only one left, making you think it is the room but it is one pound.

[auroberos]

the �2 to the bellboy must also be counted as money they paid for the room. so each paid �9 plus 1/3 of �2 - each paid �9.66 ish which multiplied by 3 gives �30 ish!

[MrIxolite]

Try www.braingle.com, the answer is on there along with others