Actual word problem from Mr. Chu's algebra class, slightly modified to remove incriminating names:

R. has turned Alec down half as many times as L.
S. has turned Alec down five more times than L.
If Alec has been turned down a total of 55 times, how many times have R., L., and S. each turned him down?

One student gave an answer that would imply a total of 255 rejections. Mr. Chu's response: "Alec isn't that pathetic...."