IMPOSSIPUZZLES

1

“I just heard we’ll have to put up £50 more for the outing this year than we paid last year, but there’ll be nineteen fewer of us to share the expense,” said Mike. “Well, you share it equally anyway, so it’s only a small increase all round,” Doreen commented. “It was about a thousand pounds altogether last year, I think you said.” Her husband nodded. “That’s right. An extra three pounds, and I don’t suppose anyone will mind.” How many would share the cost, and at how much each?

2

“Two boys and two girls.” Jim replaced the photo. “That was Ann. She’s in her teens.” Greg smiled. “Quite a family for these days,” he commented. “How old are the boys?” “You figure it out,” Jim replied. “If you add the product of the girls’ ages to the square of Ellen’s age you get the square of their brother Jack’s age, but added to the square of Ann’s age it gives the square of the other boy’s age.” How old were the boys?

3

John glanced at the photo. “My wife and our two boys,” he said. “I guess our lucky number must be four this year.” “How come?” Stan asked. “There are only three of them.” “Sure, so we’re a family of four,” John replied. “Then their three ages total 44, and their product is 444.” How old were the boys?

4

“Well, that’s our address,” said Charlie. “You’d better make a note of it.” Fred shook his head. “No need to do that,” he replied. “I used to live on your street, and your number is just eleven times the sum of its three figures.” Of course he’s a mathematician, but see if you can figure it out.

5

“Doughnuts and eclairs, that’s fine for the party,” said Susan. “You must have got about fifty in all.” Nancy shook her head. “Not that many, but I got all they had,” she replied. “I got as many of each as its price in pence, and the lot came to as many pounds as the number of eclairs and as many pence as the number of doughnuts.” How many of each?

6

“Did you notice they give the population of Knockado?” Cyril asked his partner. “It’s a funny number.” Ted shook his head. “No, but that’s not surprising for Kalota. What is it this time?” Cyril smiled. “Its last half is three times the other three digits, and the last pair of digits is four times the first pair. You figure that one out.” You try!