You saw a shirt for $97. You didn’t have the cash, so you borrowed $50 from your mum and $50 from your dad = $100. You bought the shirt, and had $3 change. You gave your dad $1 and your mum $1 and kept the other $1 for yourself. Now you owe your mum $49 and your dad $49. 49+49 = 98 + your $1 = 99. Where is the missing $1?

Question

anonymous · Answer

You're adding the numbers together two different ways.

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, like, my mom sent me this in an email, I can't figure out the answer! lol

anonymous · Answer

Why are you adding the dollar you kept to the money you owe?

anonymous · Answer

I didn't make up the question dude....

anonymous · Answer

I know, but I'm helping you think your way through it.

anonymous · Answer

The answer is that there is no missing dollar. You paid back 2$ of what you owe and you still owe 98$

anonymous · Answer

$$$49 (owe \space mom) + $49(owe \space dad)=$97(shirt)+$1(kept)$$

anonymous · Answer

+1 to CliffSedge.
Another way to look at it is that the missing $1 is the one you kept. It should not have been added back to the $98. It is missing from what you owe your parents and had you paid back everything you spent, you would have given each $1.50

Then you would owe each of them $48.50
48.50 + 48.50 = 97

anonymous · Answer

**everything you DIDN'T spend**