mathematics

ER, hash and I walked into a video shop and bought a betamax between us for 30 quid, each paying a tenner, but when we got outside, ER's eagle eyes noticed a big scratch on it. So, we went back into the shop and asked trev who was working behind the counter if we could get a discount. He said he would need to ask his boss, so off he popped and asked edge, edge said, as the business was going to go bust very soon, let them have it for 25. Trev, thinking it was too big a discount, pocketed 2 quid and said to us that he could do it for 27 quid and gave us each a quid back. So, we each paid 9 quid each and trev the wee thief stole 2 quid which in total comes to 29 quid, where has the other quid gone from the original 30?

 

Trev's pocket along with the two quid.

 

Welcome

 

One would think that, but not even trev is so dishonest.

 

The 30 is a red herring and is irrelevant in terms of the final transaction.

You paid 27 quid between you: 25 for the item and 2 for Trev

 

Up Venom's dung funnel?

 

are you fae monaco mate?

 

But 30 was handed over though

 

In your "Pentonville pocket".

 

I shall ignore this with the contempt it deserves( apart from replying to it obviously)

 

And 3 was given back making 27 minus Trev's cut =25 i.e. the amount paid

 

The 29 is the red herring. It never existed.

 

But counting it backwards, it doesn't add up. Stop being a dick

 

This is the flaw in the logic. Why would you add the 2 quid onto the 27? You subtract it from the 27 to get the price of the item.

 

As if ER would hand over a tenner for anything.

 

Did the Beetamax work ok?

 

Yes it does.

30 - 3 (refund) -2 (trev's cut) = 25

You stop being a dick.

 

No, you are the flaw! 30 was handed over but only 29 comes back.

 

Why do you keep on quoting 25? The whole "riddle" is about the 30!

 

This is an old problem, the variation I've heard is one where you borrow money to buy a shirt.

Good thread