Can you answer this math riddle?

[mathhelp32]

Three bricklayers are ready to go on their lunch hour. They are sending Marie, their apprentice, to the deli to get some cold-cuts for sandwiches. They give her $5 each.

The counterman had originally asked for $15 for the cold-cuts, but then he realizes, while Marie is in the store, that he has overcharged, and he gives Marie $5 back.

Since Marie doesn't have change, she gives each of the bricklayers $1 and keeps the $5 bill.

It looks as if the bricklayers have paid $4 for their cold-cuts, but 4 X 3 = 12 and $12 + $2 = $14.

Who has the missing dollar?!?!?!

How do you know who has the missing dollar?

 

[conehead]

What missing dollar? Marie made $2 on the deal.

Each bricklayer had $5 and Marie had $3 of her own.

The bricklayers give Marie the money for lunch. Now Marie has $18.

She gives the counterman $15, but he gives her back $5. Counterman has $10 for the cold-cuts and he's out of the loop. Marie has $5 from the bricklayers and her own $3.

She gives each bricklayer $1, so she has $5 left. She started with $3.

She actually owed each bricklayer $1.66 and she could have kept two cents instead of keeping the $2.