3 students and 8 bottles

Puzzle Three students, Peter, James, and Emma, decided to celebrate the exams and share the cost. Peter bought five bottles at £3 each, and James bought three bottles. At the end of the night, Emma gave Peter £7 and James £1, saying they were even. Peter happily accepted, but James felt short-changed. Who cheated on the math exam?

Solution Emma's solution may seem unfair because Peter and James contributed 5 to 3 but were refunded 7 to 1. However, they can't claim the refund for the bottles they drank. And deducting equal amounts from their contributions leads to a completely different refund ratio. This is how Emma calculated each share. You can use this calculation when out with friends.

• Total money spent is £3x8=£24

• Each should pay £24:3=£8

• Peter contributed £3x5=£15, so his refund is £15-£8=£7

• James contributed £3x3=£9, so his refund is £9-£8=£1

• Emma contributed £7+£1=£8

So, was it James who cheated on the math exam? Well, maybe he just needed a good night's sleep to clear his head))