perplexus.info :: Riddles : Lovelorn Snail

Lovelorn Snail (Posted on 2003-11-27)

On Valentine's Day in 1996, there was a snail (his name is Herb) at the bottom of an empty well that is 30 feet tall. The well had run dry, but it had slippery, moss covered walls. So, during the day (he woke up at 6am), Herb was able to climb 3 feet up, but while he slept at night (he went to sleep at 10pm), he slipped back down 2 feet.

On what date did Herb get out of the well?

Submitted by SilverKnight

Rating: 2.8148 (27 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

March 12th
Valentine's Day is February 14th. That NIGHT, he reaches the 3rd foot mark.... and slips down to 1 foot. On the 15th, he reaches the 4th foot mark, and slips down to the 2 foot mark, etc....
In other words he would reach the 30th foot mark on the night of February, 41st.... but unfortunately... February doesn't have 41 days.
And since 1996 was a leap year, February had 29 days. So, "subtract" the 29 days (of February) from the 41, and we get 12. So, Herb reaches the 30th foot mark (the edge of the well) on the 12th.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
No Subject	Aston Cargo	2022-10-12 03:06:41
No Subject	Aston Cargo	2022-10-12 03:06:16
Education	hepev92013	2020-10-29 23:19:42
error in the answer there	elisha	2007-09-14 19:30:04
Puzzle Solution	K Sengupta	2007-05-09 12:23:30
Answer	K Sengupta	2007-03-14 03:57:21
March 12	hannah	2005-03-29 16:08:49
MAYBE..	Clara Levy	2005-02-02 20:33:47
re: remember leap year!	bob909	2004-09-30 13:34:38
remember leap year!	Jim	2004-08-10 11:30:18
re: No way, its the 14th!	Captain Paradox	2004-08-03 10:27:56
Full Solution	David Piccolo	2004-05-06 21:58:31
answer	Billy Bob	2004-04-04 11:06:46
No way, its the 14th!	catherine	2004-04-03 08:39:29
I dont understand	lovejoy	2004-02-26 12:04:16
re(4): A matter of math	Frank Riddle	2004-02-24 20:26:19
dude, when do we get an answer?	jen	2004-02-22 20:52:21
No Subject	maeve	2004-02-21 22:20:10
mathematically simple	omar	2004-02-21 15:07:04
mathematically simple	omar	2004-02-21 15:07:01
re(3): A matter of math	Jim C	2004-02-20 13:30:03
SOLUTION	Wendy	2004-02-20 07:44:43
re: solution	koi_person	2004-02-19 19:13:48
solution	koi_person	2004-02-19 19:12:25
re(2): A matter of math	Frank Riddle	2004-02-19 15:29:06
re(3): Alternative Solution	Frank Riddle	2004-02-19 15:26:46
re(2): Alternative Solution	lovejoy	2004-02-18 21:18:58
re: Alternative Solution	Phil	2004-02-18 09:26:52
re: A matter of math	lovejoy	2004-02-18 05:19:59
A matter of math	Frank Riddle	2004-02-17 19:05:28
?	jessica	2004-02-15 20:18:02
No Subject	hywnchika	2004-02-15 19:19:57
Alternative Solution	Phil	2004-02-10 19:06:46
solution	Gayln Adams	2004-02-08 11:08:51
LOVELORN snail	lovejoy	2004-02-06 03:01:13
No Subject	Anna	2004-02-02 10:57:40
Solution	Phil	2004-01-27 00:24:02
Hmmm.. so twhat day then....	Jen T	2004-01-24 23:52:45
think I got it	lovejoy	2004-01-16 08:25:45
solution (its a leapyear!)	melanie	2004-01-09 20:55:00
re: leap year	Steve	2004-01-05 20:21:07
leap year	Steve	2004-01-05 20:15:48
solution	Michelle	2004-01-05 18:59:28
humm	Jasmine	2004-01-03 17:09:56
i think maybe this is it	Katie	2004-01-02 13:02:02
The Solution	Katie	2004-01-02 12:35:15
lovelorn snail	ebeth	2003-12-29 17:32:01
Slow but steady	James	2003-12-23 13:06:45
persistent snail makes escape?	Neil Prowd	2003-12-23 01:31:33
poor herb	bridgette	2003-12-22 18:03:25
get it?	Brian	2003-12-22 14:10:36
re: solution	Brian	2003-12-22 14:07:03
re: solution	Brian	2003-12-22 14:06:32
lovelorn snail	Brian	2003-12-22 14:03:22
lovelorn snail	Brian	2003-12-22 14:02:50
re: solution	SilverKnight	2003-12-18 18:58:52
solution	Anne	2003-12-18 18:33:26
solution	strawbaryfields	2003-12-13 14:16:42
i guess is this...	ting	2003-12-13 11:43:35
I'm pretty sure i got it	Christie	2003-12-12 12:35:08
answer	casper	2003-12-10 21:44:16
yay i think i got it	karlie	2003-12-10 20:19:11
re: solution	sean	2003-12-10 11:40:09
re: true answer	sean	2003-12-10 11:38:11
true answer	sean	2003-12-10 11:34:16
possibly	MARIE	2003-12-08 13:11:18
answer maybe	rhoelle	2003-12-06 19:14:28
answer i think	elisa	2003-12-05 09:51:58
answer	chris Knight	2003-12-03 19:47:38
perhaps a solution	Angel	2003-11-30 16:04:16
solution	Anthony	2003-11-30 06:05:57
re: Comments	Gamer	2003-11-29 16:02:37
Real Solution	chris	2003-11-29 00:55:54
hmmm...	fraser	2003-11-28 15:25:53
re(3): Comments	Victor Zapana	2003-11-28 08:54:17
re(2): Comments	fwaff	2003-11-28 03:21:42
No Subject	Benjamin	2003-11-28 01:09:49
re: Comments	Tristan	2003-11-27 13:43:25
solution	supriya	2003-11-27 13:22:15
Comments	Penny	2003-11-27 11:40:26
re(2): solution	Victor Zapana	2003-11-27 11:15:28
re: solution	Sam	2003-11-27 11:15:01
Solution	Sam	2003-11-27 11:13:02
solution	Victor Zapana	2003-11-27 11:11:39

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