On a train, Smithe, Robins, and John are the fireman, conductor, and the engineer, but NOT respectively. Also aboard the train are three businessmen who have the same names: a Mr. Smithe, a Mr. Robins, and a Mr. John.

Mr. Robins Lives in New York. The conductor lives exactly halfway between Columbus and New York. Mr. John earns exactly $20,000 per year. The conductor's nearest neighbor, one of the passengers, earns exactly three times as much as the conductor. Smithe beats the fireman in billiards. The passenger whose name is the same as the conductor's lives in Columbus.

Who is the Engineer?

Mr. Robins lives in NY, therefore Robins is not the conductor.  It is a given that Mr. John makes 20K (this could have been any figure), therefore we are left with unknown salaries for Mr. Smithe and Mr. Robins.  However, Mr Robins cannot be the closest neighbor to the conductor which leaves Mr. Smith as the closest neighbor.  This makes Mr. John a resident of Columbus and John the conductor, leaving Smithe or Robins as the engineer.  If Smithe beats the fireman in billiards, and John is the conductor, then Robins is the fireman leaving Smithe as the Engineer!

Posted by Amy on 2004-06-18 11:38:19