perplexus.info :: Just Math : A Riddle for the Ages

A Riddle for the Ages (Posted on 2024-03-29)

A census worker visits the home of a woman. After he knocks on her door, she answers and he can see three kids behind her. He asks about the ages of the children. She says, “The product of their ages is 72. And the sum of their ages is the number on the door.” He checks the door, thinks about it a minute, and then says “I need more information.” She replies, “The oldest one likes strawberries.” He immediately figures out their ages.

How old are the children?

No Solution Yet Submitted by Danish Ahmed Khan

Rating: 3.0000 (1 votes)

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Puzzle Answer

| Comment 1 of 4

We have that the ages may be

1, 1, 72 with a sum of 74 ( mathematical true in real life not true ;) )

1, 2, 36 with a sum of 39

1, 3, 24 with a sum of 28

1, 4, 18 with a sum of 23

1, 6,12 with a sum of 19

1, 8, 9 with a sum of 18

2, 2, 18 with a sum of 22

2, 3, 12 with a sum of 17

2, 4, 9 with a sum of 15

2, 6, 6 with a sum of 14

3, 3, 8 with a sum of 14

3, 4, 6 with a sum of 13

The only case, where any confusion is created is (2,6,6) and (3,3,8) both with a sum of 14.

However, the woman has responded with a meaning that she has precisely one oldest child. So that: (2,6,6) must be invalid, and the required ages of the children are: 3, 3, and 8.

Edited on March 29, 2024, 9:05 am

Posted by K Sengupta on 2024-03-29 09:04:38

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