A man in my neighbourhood has three daughters. One day when I asked their ages he said:

"The product of their ages is 36".

When I still couldn't find their ages he said:

"Ok. I'll give you another clue: the sum of their ages is same as the number of my house".

I knew the number but still couldn't calculate their ages. So the man gave me a last hint, he said:

"My eldest daughter lives upstairs".

Finally I was able to find their ages. Can you?

Step 1 - Posiible Combinations
1:3:12
1:4:9
1:6:6
2:2:9
3:3:4
2:3:6


Step 2 - Only 2 give the same sum
2:2:9
1:6:6

Step 3 - Eldest daughter can't be 6 as there are two daughters aged 6, therefore

2:2:9

Posted by yiannis on 2002-11-01 00:46:16