bonanova Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Zed: Hi, Ned! LTNS! Ned: For sure. How are things? Zed: Well for one thing, me and the missus have a family now. Ned: No! Zed: Yep, three rug rats. Ned: Is one of them a girl? Zed: I could tell you, Ned, but then I'd have to shoot you. That question is part of a different puzzle, OK? Ned: Sorry. So, how old are they then? Zed: Well, the product of their ages is 72. Ned: You know that doesn't tell me their ages, Zed. Zed: Well, their ages add up to the day of the month you were born. Ned: C'mon Zed, you're leaving me in the dark, man! Zed: Well since you asked, the youngest is in fact a girl. Ned: Thanks. Now I know their ages. Was Ned telling the truth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Here is my best guess, Yes. Reveal hidden contents If you take 72 and factorize it, you will get the numbers; 2,2,2,3,3. That means, the ages can be as follows: 2,2,18 2,3,12 2,4,9 2,6,6 3,3,8 3,4,6 Since Zed said he couldn't figure out after knowing that the sum of it. That means there had to be 2 or more options. It happens to be that the only sum is 14 which happens twice. One was: 2,6,6 and the other was 3,3,8. Since both group has two the same age, and Ned said girl in a singular manner it meant 2,6,6 were the ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 PolishNorbi said: Here is my best guess, Yes. Reveal hidden contents If you take 72 and factorize it, you will get the numbers; 2,2,2,3,3. That means, the ages can be as follows: 2,2,18 2,3,12 2,4,9 2,6,6 3,3,8 3,4,6 Since Zed said he couldn't figure out after knowing that the sum of it. That means there had to be 2 or more options. It happens to be that the only sum is 14 which happens twice. One was: 2,6,6 and the other was 3,3,8. Since both group has two the same age, and Ned said girl in a singular manner it meant 2,6,6 were the ages. Reveal hidden contents ... 1 is a valid age? Does that affect your answer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 (edited) bonanova said: Reveal hidden contents ... 1 is a valid age? Does that affect your answer? No. Reveal hidden contents Reasoning: 1,2,36 1,3,24 1,4,18 1,6,12 1,8,9 None of which add to the current pair of sums, or which add to make a new pair of sums. Edited February 6, 2008 by PolishNorbi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 PolishNorbi said: No. Reveal hidden contents Reasoning: 1,2,36 1,3,24 1,4,18 1,6,12 1,8,9 None of which add to the current pair of sums, or which add to make a new pair of sums. Reveal hidden contents 1 1 72 But pity the poor mother who birthed those twins at the age of 90! Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 bonanova said: Nice job! Reveal hidden contents 1 1 72 But pity the poor mother who birthed those twins at the age of 90! Reveal hidden contents Actually, I intenionally left out 1,1,72 and I should have left out 1,2,36 because they are over 31 which would break the other rule. Thank you though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 bonanova Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Touche! You're right. And the 90-year old wife is sighing relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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bonanova
Zed: Hi, Ned! LTNS!
Ned: For sure. How are things?
Zed: Well for one thing, me and the missus have a family now.
Ned: No!
Zed: Yep, three rug rats.
Ned: Is one of them a girl?
Zed: I could tell you, Ned, but then I'd have to shoot you. That question is part of a different puzzle, OK?
Ned: Sorry. So, how old are they then?
Zed: Well, the product of their ages is 72.
Ned: You know that doesn't tell me their ages, Zed.
Zed: Well, their ages add up to the day of the month you were born.
Ned: C'mon Zed, you're leaving me in the dark, man!
Zed: Well since you asked, the youngest is in fact a girl.
Ned: Thanks. Now I know their ages.
Was Ned telling the truth?
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