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Pedants' corner

A Brain Teaser

(10 Posts)
Aka Sun 29-Jun-14 09:46:55

Succinct in my middle name Nina

To be fair it was my brain teaser so I ought to know the answer. And I thought Pedants' Corner is not just about language related topics.

ninathenana Sun 29-Jun-14 09:38:47

And the prize goes to Aka that's what DH said but not so succinctly.

Elegran Sun 29-Jun-14 08:54:21

I have seen other conundrums like this. They depend on getting the change mixed up with the money spent, if the figures are similar then the reader doesn't notice the misdirection.

Aka Sat 28-Jun-14 23:05:38

Half of 97 is £48.50

So if you hand each parent back £1 that is £49.50 each.

They each lent £50 so take away the £49.50 and that is 50p each.

Twice 50p is £1, which you kept.

Elegran Sat 28-Jun-14 18:38:23

I understand it, but it would take a while to explain.

ninathenana Sat 28-Jun-14 18:06:29

DH has worked it out. But he's no good at explaining grin

Galen Sat 28-Jun-14 17:47:14

They charged you interest

janerowena Sat 28-Jun-14 17:42:59

I worked it out, Miss! grin

Galen Sat 28-Jun-14 17:29:54

The taxman, he seems to get any spare cash

Aka Sat 28-Jun-14 17:00:11

You see a dress you like for £97.

You don't have enough cash so you borrow £50 each from your mother and father.

£50 + £50 = £100

You pay for the dress and have £3 change so you give you parents back £1 each keep £1 for yourself. You now only owe you parents £49 each.

£49+£49 = £98

Plus the pound you have kept £98+ £1 = £99

WHERE HAS THE OTHER POUND GOT TO?