A hardware shop owner is setting up his store before opening and hangs a sign advertising: 1 for 10 cents, 15 for 20 cents and 110 for 30 cents. What is he selling?

When I encounter a problem like this one which is not strictly logical, I like to come up with creative solutions, which are perhaps not the intended "right" answer, but are still kind of fun.  Here are a couple I came up with; maybe you guys can think of others.

1. It is a really strange quantity discount.

2. The hardware store owner is a bit quirky and likes to write in base six.... so it's still a weird quantity discount, only the rate per thing doesn't change as much when you buy more.

3. The shopkeeper wanted to inspire a logic problem, and put that confusing sign up that way on PURPOSE.  He's really selling three different things.

4. It's an advertising gimmick.  The sign doesn't refer to anything specific: he doesn't care what he's selling, so long as he's selling something.

Posted by Mea on 2004-04-01 02:49:36