3 colleagues went on a business trip. How to divide the expenses?

Question

Hi,

Please help me to solve this.

3 colleagues went on a business trip

George Paid: $557+785 total $1342 for breakfast and dinner.

Arthur Paid: $500 for Lunch for all three.

Scott paid: $250 for High Tea for all three.

How to divide the expenses, who will pay how much to whom? Any alternative approach to keep it simple?

Answer 1

It all depends on if you agreed to split it evenly. I'll go off that assumption.

Total expenses = $2,092.

Expenses per person = $697.33

George pays no one since he fronted $1,342 ($644.67 more than the $697.33 each person has to pay)

Arthur can pay George $197.33 (now Arthur paid his full share)

Scott can pay George $447.33 (now Scott paid his full share)

Answer 2

Hi,

Having been on many business trips I'm not sure there is a 'correct' answer on this. In my experience, depending on job, title, hosting, location and type of meeting/convention, excursions, agreed arrangements etc. all could play a part in who pays.

Let's assume all want to share equally. Then we add up total for whole trip (1,342 + 500 + 250) and divide by 3 to get $697.33. Since we know George paid more than his equal share and the others paid less, this one can be solved by subtracting what Arthur and Scott each paid from the total of $697 and paying the difference to George.

Cheers