POCKET MONEY POSER
‘I will agree to increase your pocket money,’ said Mr Street to his son, Dougal, ‘but I will give you a choice. If you can tell me which choice is more favourable to you, then I will give you the increase that you chose. But if you cannot say which is better for you, I shall not increase your pocket money at all. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, Dad,’ said Dougal, who was tremendously polite and well-behaved.
Mr Street continued: ‘I will increase your weekly pocket money by one third, and then give you an extra pound per week on top. Or, I will increase it by one quarter, and then add an extra £1.50 each week. Which would you prefer?’
Dougal thought for a while and then announced that it made no difference, whichever increase he chose, he would end up with the same amount of pocket money. ‘Correct,’ replied his father. ‘So I shall give you an extra £3 per week.’
What was Dougal’s weekly pocket money before his raise?