When completed, the cross-number below will have one digit (from 0-9) in each cell, and no zeros in row (a) and in column (a).

         (a) (b) (c) 
            +---+---+
    (a)     |   |   |
        +---+---+---+
    (b) |   |   |   |
        +---+---+---+
    (c) |   |   |    
        +---+---+

ACROSS : (a) Abigail´s age.
         (b) Sum of Abigail´s age,
                    Blanche´s age,
                    Cynthia´s age, and
                    Darlene´s age.
         (c) Blanche´s age.

DOWN   : (a) Darlene´s age
         (b) Sum of three of the ages in (b) across.
         (c) Cynthia´s age.

Whose age was omitted from (b) down, and what are the ages of the 4 women ?

Note: this can be solved by hand. Those who will use the computer, give the others some time before posting the solution obtained this way. Tk you.

(In reply to re(4): Re: Solution by hand by Mike)

Mike, it depends on what you call "serious".

Some users uses the computer to solve this kind of problem, for many reasons. This theme was discussed here enough and I don´t want to bring this subject to discussion again. And more, even with a note asking for time, the computer appeared 5 hours after the problem becomes public.

When I submit this kind of problem, and I think the others users too, we expect more than a simple answer, but the reasoning that leads to it.

In this case (and I confess that the way you post your solution is not quite clear to understand), you didn´t find the solution directly, and you needed some trial and error (in fact, a lot of). Nothing against this, but I assure you that the solution can be obtained directly. If you wanna try, go on.

Best wishes,

Paulo

Edited on October 21, 2005, 3:30 pm

Edited on October 21, 2005, 3:35 pm

Posted by pcbouhid on 2005-10-21 15:12:12