Jack and Jill each have marble collections. The number in Jack's collection in a square number.

Jack says to Jill, "If you give me all your marbles I'll still have a square number." Jill replies, "Or, if you gave me the number in my collection you would still be left left with an even square."

What is the fewest number of marbles Jack could have?

"What is the fewest number of marbles Jack could have?"

Jack could have zero marbles. (That is, if a "marble collection" can consist of zero marbles. Perhaps when he fell down and broke his crown, he lost his marbles.)

Posted by Dan on 2003-11-03 10:32:22