Missing Dollar

Three friends pay $30 for a room. The clerk realizes it should be $25 and sends $5 back with the bellhop, who keeps $2 and returns $1 to each friend. Each paid $9 (27 total), plus the bellhop's $2 makes $29. Where's the missing dollar?

Hint: Adding the $2 is the mistake.

Answer

There's no missing dollar.

The $27 the friends paid already includes the bellhop's $2 ($25 room + $2). Add the $3 they got back and you get $30. Adding $2 to $27 counts the tip twice.

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