After playing 18 hole of golf at 1$ per hole we won 2 and they one 16. I say we owe $16. They say we owe $14 because 2 hole cancelled out. I don't get it.

Question

During a round of golf I won 2 holes and lost 16. My partner say I owe$14 but I think owe $16. This seem so simple but I can't get him to agree. He say the 2 holes I won offset 2 holes he won and 18-4 is $14!

Answer 1

My colleagues are correct you owe them $14.

Answer 2

Example:

 

hole number           You won        They won

--------------           ---------         ----------

      1                         1                    0

      2                         0                    1

      3                         0                    1

      4                         0                    1

      5                         0                    1

      6                         0                    1

      7                         0                    1

      8                         0                    1

      9                         0                    1

    10                         0                    1

    11                         0                    1

    12                         0                    1

    13                         0                    1

    14                         1                    0

    15                         0                    1

    16                         0                    1

    17                         0                    1

    18                         0                    1

                           ---------       -----------

             totals            2                  16

 

For each hole, you both risk $1.  You either get his (and keep yours) or else you give him yours (and he keeps his).

 

Thus, of the 18 "bets", you give $16 to your partner and, then, he fives you $2.  Yep, that means you lost $14 (net total loss).

Answer 3

Lets say you each put up $9 - to cover the 18 holes @ $1

You must give $7 of your dollars away - you won only 2 holes.

This gives you partner $16 for the holes won.