1. Ben’s oldest son was a twin.
2. All of Ben’s children were twins except for 41 of them.
3. All of Ben’s children were triplets except for 41 of them.
4. All of Ben’s children were quadruplets except for 41 of them.

How many children did Ben have?

*** Counting triplets as twins or, quadruplets as triplets is not permissible.

Let w=No of sinletons or others, x=no of twins, y=no of triplets, z= no of quadruplets, Then

w+2x+3y+4z= total no of children

w+2x+3y=w+3y+4z=w+2x+4z=41

hence 2x=3y=4z for integer solution lowest value of x = 6

12=12=12 hence w=17, 6 twins, 4 triplets and 3 quadruplets, next solution is x=12 but the total no of singletons becomes negative.

hence total number of children is 41+12 = 53

 

 

Posted by Salil on 2013-09-03 05:34:34