The hostess, at her 20th wedding anniversary party, tells you that her youngest child likes her to pose this problem to guests, and she proceeds to explain: "I normally ask guests to determine the ages of my three children, given the sum and products of their ages. Since Smith gave an incorrect answer to the problem tonight and Jones gave an incorrect answer at the party two years ago, I'll let you off the hook."

Your response is "No need to tell me more, their ages are..."

if present ages are 5,6 and 16

the sum = 27 and multipliction is 480. Similar values can be obtained from 4,8 and 15. There may be more possiblities but I am list only this one.

Two years ago their ages would have been 3,4 and 14

The sum = 21 and multiplication is 168. Similar values can be obatined from 2,7 and 12.


I also figured out that a year ago their ages were 4,5 and 15 for which there is a unique multiplication and sum combination. (I am not 100% about it.. but pretty sure). This further confirms the answer.

Posted by Sachin on 2005-03-05 17:02:29