Quote
Originally posted by: Warbler
ok here's one:

Smith gave a hotel clerk $15 for his cleaning bill. The clerk discovered he had overcharged and sent a bellboy to Smith's room with five $1 bills. The dshonest bellboy gave three to Smith, keeping two for himself. Smith has now paid $12. The bellboy has acquired $2. This accounts for $14. Where is the missing dollar?

We'll track the money through the question, thus:
Smith $15 -->
Smith $0, Hotel Clerk $15 -->
Smith $0, Hotel Clerk $10, Bellboy $5 -->
Smith $3, Hotel Clerk $10, Bellboy $2.

There is no missing dollar. "Smith has now paid $12. The bellboy has acquired $2. This accounts for $14." Incorrect, Smith paid $10 and the bellboy acquired $2, accounting for $12, the other $3 is back in Smith's pocket.