Page 24 - Discover Fall 2022

Gremmie’s
Gremmie’s

Pages
Pages
Edited by Gerald Muus

Here is last issue’s brain puzzle: (1, 4, 9) -> sum 14

Two friend mathematicians meet each (1, 6, 6) -> sum 13
after a long time and have the following
conversation: (2, 2, 9) -> sum 13

– I have 3 daughters, the product of their (2, 3, 6) -> sum 11
ages is 36. (3, 3, 4) -> sum 10

– I can’t figure out how old they are, can Since the second mathematician couldn’t
you tell me more? guess the ages even after the second clue, the

– Sure, the sum of their ages is equal to sum has to be 13. Therefore the only possible
the number of my house. options are (1, 6, 6) and (2, 2, 9). However,
the third clue suggests that there is an “eldest”
– I know your house number, but daughter and then the correct answer is 2, 2
still can’t figure out the ages of your and 9.
daughters.
Our winner is: Brian Podolsky of Hardy,
– Also, my eldest daughter is called who submitted the only correct entry.
Monica.
Nice work, Brian!
– OK, now I know how old your
daughters are.
What ages are the three daughters of the
mathematician?

Solution: Using the first clue, we find that
there are 8 possibilities:

(1, 1, 36) -> sum 38 This issue's

(1, 2, 18) -> sum 21 Puzzle Winner:
Brian Podolsky
(1, 3, 12) -> sum 16

22 Discover Smith Mountain Lake FALL 2022