TVIexpressdollar.com author Rudy Phan writes back

That I had somehow "misunderstood" him. He wrote:

"8 is a BASIC NUMBER to calculate the REAL BOARD, new members fill the 8 nodes in level 1 of Traveller Board. While 7 old members, who was in level 2, 3 and 4, the money had been counted in the PARENT BOARD. So, if the money had been counted in the PARENT BOARD, then when it was split off, please DO NOT CALCULATED it again. We talk about business, we talk about money. Calculate the MONEY, NOT THE “NODES”. "

Well, considering we are kinda talking apples and oranges here...

I think what he's trying to say is that somehow we do NOT have to count the first 7 people/nodes when the pyramid "splits". Why? No idea. Did not give a reason, just "do not calculate it again".




I think I'll wait until he explains WHY the first 7 people don't need to be counted before I render a decision.



In the meanwhile, I'll call your attention to this classic puzzle... Trust me, it's related:

3 men go to a hotel and explain to the cashier that they would like to share one room, and need the cheapest room because they do not have much money.

The clerk provides them with a room for $30, but realized after they went to their room that the room fee is only $25, so the clerk sent the bellhop up to the room to give the men their money.

Since it was hard to give exact change, the bellhop asked if it was okay if he gave each of them $1 back and kept $2 for the tip.  The men agreed.

Each man initiall paid $10, but got $1 back so they actually paid only $9.

$9 x 3 = $27 plus the $2 for the tip equals $29.

Where did the other dollar go?