On a train, Smithe, Robins, and John are the fireman, conductor, and the engineer, but NOT respectively. Also aboard the train are three businessmen who have the same names: a Mr. Smithe, a Mr. Robins, and a Mr. John.

Mr. Robins Lives in New York. The conductor lives exactly halfway between Columbus and New York. Mr. John earns exactly $20,000 per year. The conductor's nearest neighbor, one of the passengers, earns exactly three times as much as the conductor. Smithe beats the fireman in billiards. The passenger whose name is the same as the conductor's lives in Columbus.

Who is the Engineer?

Smithe, Robins, and John are listed as fireman, conductor, and engineer, but NOT respectively.  This means that Smithe is not the fireman, Robins is not the conductor, and John is not the engineer.  Leaving, Smithe and Robins as remaining possibilities.

Since Mr. John makes $20,000 and this is not divisible by 3, Mr. John is not the conductors nearest neighbor, thus he must live in Columbus since Mr. Smithe lives in N.Y.

Since Mr. John lives in Columbus, John is the conductor.

Since John is the conductor, and Smithe is not the fireman, Smithe must be the engineer.

Posted by Bill on 2004-09-30 16:48:35