The issue is where is the physical $30 held at each stage. Look...

  1. 1,201 Posts.
    The issue is where is the physical $30 held at each stage. Look at it in each discrete stage of the money flow and assume for simplicity that the $30 is all there is between all the parties.

    A. Before paying:
    Man_A has $10; Man_B has $10; Man_C has $10; Desk_Clark has $0; Bell_Boy has $0

    This gives a total of $30 flowing between the parties.

    B. After paying $10 each:
    Man_A has $0; Man_B has $0; Man_C has $0; Desk_Clerk has $30; Bell_Boy has $0

    This again gives a total of $30 flowing between the parties.

    C. After giving the $5 to the Bell Boy:
    Man_A has $0; Man_B has $0; Man_C has $0; Desk_Clerk has $25; Bell_Boy has $5

    This again gives a total of $30 flowing between the parties.

    D. After the Bell Boy gives $1 refund to each Man and pocketing a $2 "tip":
    Man_A has $1; Man_B has $1; Man_C has $1; Desk_Clerk has $25; Bell_Boy has $2

    This again gives a total of $30 flowing between the parties.


    So the paradox is resolved by tracing the physical money not by combining what the three men eventually paid with tip taken by the bell boy.
 
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