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Mathematical

Missing Dollar Paradox

Three guests pay $30, but the math doesn't add up

Overview

A classic word problem that creates apparent missing money through misdirection.

Three guests pay $30 for a room ($10 each). The clerk realizes it's $25 and gives a bellhop $5 to return. The bellhop keeps $2 and returns $3 ($1 each). Now guests paid $27, bellhop has $2, totaling $29. Where's the missing dollar?

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