awful number riddle question ?

Henry, you've multiplied my debt to the parents. But it isn't 98. It's 100. Out of that I gave them back only 2 pounds, and kept a pound, so the debt looks like 100-2=98 and 98-1=97, so all pounds are accounted for.

Not quite: One of the parents was 48 down, and the other was 49 down. 48+49=97 (What was paid for the shoes).

Just suppose you only paid the cashier £96. You'd have £4 extra. Then, you gave each of your parents 1 pound back, leaving yourself with £2. Afterwards, you realise you paid 1 pound less and return that 1 pound: you're left with £1.

My explanation's probably too complicated, but that was a good one.

It seems this person forgot that he/she kept £1 for them self. Therefore if he/she gave one of his/her parents the £1 he/she kept. One would be owed £48 and the other £49. 49+48=97.

sigh you do the math. 50+50=100. the price if 97. 100 - 97=3 . you gave one to mum one to dad. and kept one for youself. 1+1+1=3

I don't really see what your talking about $100 - $97 =$3. One for your mom, another for your dad & one for you. There is no extra dollar/pound

not awful.