Serviceline Industrial Sensors
Contact Customer Service
Serviceline Explosion Protection
Contact Customer Service

Did You Find Out? Get the Answer to the Riddle of E-News Issue No. 1, February 2015

2015-02-17

How much was the bill?

Riddle, Mr. Brown pays with a 100 Dollar note, brain teaser
Mr. Brown pays with a 100 Dollar note

Mr. Brown pays his restaurant bill with a 100 Dollar note. The waitress mixes up cents and dollars with his change. On his way home, Mr. Brown loses 5 cents without noticing it. At home, he realizes that he received twice as much change than he should have.

How much was the bill?


Solution

In reality, the bill was about 68.37 dollars. Mr. Brown should have received 31.63 in change. Due to the mix up of cents and dollars, he received an amount of 63.31. After losing 5 cents, he still had 63.26; which is double the correct amount of change mentioned above.

You will get the correct solution by setting up a linear equation:

  • X = correct dollar amount
  • Y = correct cent amount

X + Y : 100 he should have received.

But, he has got back Y + X : 100.

If you subtract 5 cents from this amount the double sum of the correct amount (mentioned above) is the result:

X : 100 + Y - 0,05 = 2 * (X + Y : 100)

After transposing the equation you have:

Y = (199 : 98) * X + 5 : 98

This expression represents a linear equation. The associated definition area is 0 < X < 100 (as he paid with a 100 dollar bill).

X and Y are natural numbers, thus, only integer values are possible.

This means, in the interval 0 < X < 100, the result is X = 31 and Y = 63. Mr. Brown should have received 31 dollars and 63 cents back from the waitress. The check was about 100 - 31.63 = 68.37 dollars.

 


undefined
^

We value your privacy!

We and our partners are using technologies like cookies and process personal data like the IP-address or browser information in order to personalize the advertising that you see. This helps us to show you more relevant ads and improves your internet experience. We also use it in order to measure results or align our website content. Because we value your privacy, we are herewith asking for your permission to use these technologies. You can always change/withdraw your consent later by clicking on the settings button on the left lower corner of the page.

Deny all cookies

We value your privacy!

Please select the group of cookies and scripts, that you consent to.

Functional
These cookies are necessary so that you can navigate through the pages and use essential functions (e.g. login).
Analytics
We use these cookies and scripts to measure the visits and clicks on our website in order to constantly improve it.
Marketing
These cookies and similar technologies are used to provide you with personalized and therefore relevant advertising content.
x

Contact Us
 
Your technical, product, or application questions answered by our team of experts.


 
Ask an Expert