3 men paid $10 each for a $30 room at a motel.
Later that night the manager came in and said no, that room is only $25 not $30 and told the Bell-hop to give them back $5. The Bell-hop thought 3 into $5 won't go, so I'll pocket $2 and give them $1 each. Each man has therefore paid $9 each for the room.

The Bell-hop pocketed $2 and each man has been given $1 back thereby paying $9 each. 3x$9 = $27 + the $2 the Bell-hop pocketed. What happened to the missing $1 from the original $30 ?