I'd like to start by saying I'm awful at math. I mean, really bad. So it will come as no surprise to learn that I just scratched my bald head in wonder when I was told the following story. It may be one you've heard before, or a variation of something that's really old, but I'll tell it anyway. And then maybe one smart WB reader can show me how this puzzle actually is solved, because I'm clueless.

The story starts with three guys (although it could have been three girls, hey, I'm not being sexist here). They're all out on the town and get quite merry in a local bar. Instead of attempting to drive (bad idea guys) or paying for a pricey cab, they decide to share a cheap hotel room and split the bill.

The price for the room, they are told by the receptionist, is $30 for one night. No problem for our guys, they each cough up $10 and go sleep off the booze. In the morning, the receptionist gets the bill and realizes the price for the room is actually only $25. As this guy is as bad at math as I am, he decided to give each guy $1 back and pocket the remaining $2 cash.

Here's where my head hurts.

The guys originally paid $10 each for the room.

They get $1 back each, meaning they paid $9 each for the room.

And the receptionist has $2.

$9 x 3 = $27

Add the $2 from the receptionist.

$27 + $2 = $29

But they originally paid $30. So, where on Earth did the $1 bill go? Help!