The Waiter

Three men in a cafe order a meal the total cost of which is $15. They each contribute $5. The waiter takes the money to the chef who recognises the three as friends and asks the waiter to return $5 to the men.

The waiter is not only poor at mathematics but dishonest and instead of going to the trouble of splitting the $5 between the three he simply gives them $1 each and pockets the remaining $2 for himself.

Now, each of the men effectively paid $4, the total paid is therefore $12. Add the $2 in the waiters pocket and this comes to $14. Where has the other $1 gone from the original $15?




Similar Riddles

I hide my treasure in the ground, my tail is big and fluffy. If you spot me in a tree, please don’t call me scruffy. What am I?

Asked by Neha on 31 Oct 2025


There are six people in a family namely M, N, O, P, Q and R.

R and O are brother and sister.

N is the brother of Q's husband.
P is the father of M and grandfather of R.

How many male members are in the family?

Asked by Neha on 22 Oct 2023

What is the value of 1/2 of 2/3 of 3/4 of 4/5 of 5/6 of 6/7 of 7/8 of 8/9 of 9/10 of 1000?

Asked by Neha on 26 Sep 2021


Which word does the below Plexor means ?

Hard Word Plexor

Asked by Neha on 11 May 2021

Jack was having a candle light dinner with his girlfriend. Suddenly a cold gush of wind entered through the open window and three of the ten candles were extinguished. Assuming that none of the other candles were extinguished.

How many candles are they left with in the end ?

Asked by Neha on 12 Dec 2020

A patient was diagnosed with some ailment. He was given five different tablets to take at night at an interval of 15 minutes.

How long will it take the patient to consume all the five tablets?

Asked by Neha on 02 Jul 2024


Can you count the number of triangles in the given picture?

Count The Triangles <br />

Asked by Neha on 29 Dec 2024

I am lying and I always lie. Tell me whether I am lying or telling the truth.

Asked by Neha on 31 Dec 2024

Why is it against the law for a man living in Delhi to be buried in Mumbai?

Asked by Neha on 20 Oct 2024


An equation has been laid down using a few matchsticks. However, as you can see, the equation is not correct. Can you correct the equation if you are allowed to add or remove 5 matchsticks?

Correct the Equation

Asked by Neha on 14 May 2021

Hot Articles

Amazing Facts

Word ladder puzzle

The word ladder puzzle was invented by Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.