Question

The cost of dinner for two people is $45 and
they both give the waiter $25 each. Of the
extra $5 the waiter is allowed to keep $3 as
a tip and returns $1 to each person. So the
two people paid $24 each, making a total of $48 , and the waiter has $3 . The total is
therefore $48 + $3 = $51 . Where did the extra $1 come from

Answer 1

There is no missing dollar — the riddle adds the wrong things.

Start with the $50 they handed the waiter. It is distributed as:
- $45 restaurant bill
- $3 waiter tip
- $2 returned to the two people ($1 each)

These add to $45 + $3 + $2 = $50.

After the $1 refund each, they indeed paid $24 each, which totals $48. That $48 already includes the $3 tip ($48 = $45 + $3). The riddle incorrectly adds the $3 tip to the $48 to get $51, double-counting the tip. You should either add parts to get $50, or note $48 − $3 = $45. The extra $1 comes from that improper addition.