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I was at a panto this afternoon and it was excellent entertainment. But they had a bit that was really neat.
One character was dividing 28 onion rings among four people, so everyone got thirteen. She justified it by division, multiplication and addition, and it was hilarious.
It is a lovely bit of business that I will be modifying for my show, but I am just curious; has anyone ever encountered something like this? I would love to know any history of this funny bit.

Yeah, can't remember where it was from though. It was really clever involved 9's and 5's and things, I think it may have been a Mitchell and Webb Look sketch or something like that.

My personal favourite is the mathematical evidence that;

Girls = Evil



I had not considered using it as part of a routine but you have got me thinking now, thanks.

I have a bunch of these that I've been getting together for a maths based show. It's been in development for about ten years, though, so it's obviously not _that_ urgent!

Ian

Since asking the question I have come across three sketches of Abbot and Costello doing that bit - but this is the funniest. Thanks. I am still working on a one-man patter for it, but I will have it for next weekend. I love it.

3 men go into a shop to buy a tv
the tv costs £30 so each man pays.... £10.

so far so good, they walk out with a tv.

Just then the shop sales assistant realises the tv is on special offer and has £5 off!
So the assistant grabs 5 £1 coins from the till and runs off to catch the 3 men.
On the way out the assistant realises he (or she) can make a small proffit so he keeps £2.

Catching up with the men he explains the offer and gives each man £1 back....
SO, they each paid £10 they got £1 back so therefore they paid £9 each. OK?
Good
3 x £9 = £27
plus the £2 the sales assistant has in his pocket = £29!!!
Where has the missing pound gone???
I love these too and have used a few as storylines for some money mentalism routines I do.