OFF THE TICKER : Red Is in Inns’ Title and on Ad Folks’ Faces

SAN ANTONIO — The Red Roof Inns motel chain pulled the plug on a nationwide radio ad after eighth-graders discovered a math error in the promotion.

The ad said: “Did you know that most motel chains charge up to 50% more than Red Roof Inns? So, say you spend a million dollars a year on motels. You could save up to $500,000 a year by staying at Red Roof Inns.”

Students at Eisenhower Middle School pointed out that 50% more than $500,000 is $750,000, not $1 million.

Red Roof rewarded the math hounds with sweat shirts, baseball caps and a promise of accounting jobs.