I am not exactly a Math Goddess, but I do know how to count, and I'm reasonably good at figuring out area and volume. My DD is supposedly amazing at math (doing Trig and basic Calculus in 8th grade), but for some reason, she came up short today.
My car is a VW Bug. It's bigger than it looks, and even though it's yellow, I can't imagine anyone mistaking it for a school bus. You'd think that my "math genius" would know that.
But Noooooo. She wanted to go to the movies this afternoon, and asked me if she could invite a friend. Not a problem. Bob was working, so I was going to have to drive DD and her friend to the theatre, a journey of about 5 miles. Again, no problem. DD called her friend, and since I don't care much for 14 year old girl gossip, I went in the other room.
DD came in and told me that the one friend had somehow miraculously become three, don't ask me how. That makes five people in the Bug, the maximum legal limit (5 seat belts). Now three of the five were going to have to be midgets or double amputees, because the back seat in the Bug has less than no leg room, although the front seats are fine. I went online to buy the movie tickets, and DD went up the street to meet her friends (who were walking to our house).
I printed off the ticket confirmation just as DD was walking back in the door. Apparently there had been some sort of miracle, because her three friends had suddenly become five friends. I asked DD how she thought I would get seven people in the Bug. She told me that one of her friends has a driver's license (the older sister of the kid I know), and DD thought I could just let this girl have my car for the afternoon.
Uhh, no. Even better - the older sister has had her driver's license for a total of one day, and I doubt she learned on a standard transmission. Besides, that still leaves six people for a car that comfortably seats three (or uncomfortably seats five).
It also turned out that among the six children, their total net wealth was zero. I got to buy two more movie tickets. Bob then came in the door. He took the children in his SUV, in two trips. DD also got $40(!) out of him for popcorn and tickets. Somehow, our darling daughter forgot to tell him that I had paid for the tickets beforehand.
My daughter's afternoon has cost me $95 thus far - 6 movie tickets and $40 for popcorn. (Don't delude yourself that she'll bring home change) Bob has been gone for an hour while "picking them up," so I am probably right in assuming that he's buying ice cream or pizza (or both).
BTW, DD asked me what kind of present she was going to get for bringing home a straight A report card. I think you've already had your present, kiddo.
Kathy N-V