[Guest]

In Luigi’s grocery store, a fresh case of oranges was brought in. Soon after, a man entered the

store and bought half the case plus three oranges. Then a woman entered the store and bought

half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. An old lady then entered the store, liked the look

of the oranges, and so bought half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. A young man then

bought half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. Finally, a boy entered the store and

bought the last orange. How many oranges were there originally?

This puzzle is quite easy. Just want to have something to post up.

[Glycereine]

106 originally

(((((1+3)*2+3)*2+3)*2+3)*2)

[Guest]

106 ...! so proud of myself for figuring that out... lol no not really I learned that two years ago in fifth grade

[Guest]

Total 106

------- Taken remaining

Man 56 50

Women 28 22

Old lady 14 8

Young man 7 1

Boy 1 0

[Guest]

208 oranges

oops, error below, should be 15/16, so 13 =1/16 case so 13 x 16 = 208 oranges originally in the case.

1/2 +1/4 + 1/8 +1/16 +13 = 14/16 +13 = 1 case, so 13 oranges =2/16 or 1/8 case and 13 x 8 =104

In Luigi's grocery store, a fresh case of oranges was brought in. Soon after, a man entered the

store and bought half the case plus three oranges. Then a woman entered the store and bought

half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. An old lady then entered the store, liked the look

of the oranges, and so bought half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. A young man then

bought half the remaining oranges plus three oranges. Finally, a boy entered the store and

bought the last orange. How many oranges were there originally?

This puzzle is quite easy. Just want to have something to post up.

Edited April 9, 2010 by chicory

[Glycereine]

208 oranges

oops, error below, should be 15/16, so 13 =1/16 case so 13 x 16 = 208 oranges originally in the case.

1/2 +1/4 + 1/8 +1/16 +13 = 14/16 +13 = 1 case, so 13 oranges =2/16 or 1/8 case and 13 x 8 =104

The reason your method doesnt work is that only your "1/2" is of the original box, the "1/4" isnt valid because it's not half of half, it's half of (half minus 3).

You cant just add in the 3's at the end because they change the amount each person took as well.

[Guest]

The reason your method doesnt work is that only your "1/2" is of the original box, the "1/4" isnt valid because it's not half of half, it's half of (half minus 3).

You cant just add in the 3's at the end because they change the amount each person took as well.

Thank you!

[Glycereine]

Thank you!

I almost did it that way too :-p