IMPOSSIPUZZLES

1

Bill had been writing at the table near the window. “I think 26 is our lucky number, Dad,” he said. “Your age when you and Mother were married, and it’s the number of our house.” “Fair enough,” replied Mike. “But what else?” The boy grinned. “Just a number I found. It’s a multiple of 26 and its figures add up to 26, and it’s the smallest number that works that way.” What was his number?

2

Jim and Roy were sorting their comic books on the floor when Mary came in. “What a mess,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know why you buy that nonsense.” “We don’t have that many, Mom,” Roy told her. “If I gave Jim two of mine we’d both have the same, but if he gave me two of his I’d have twice as many as he’d have.” How many did each have?

3

Don was there already when Ann arrived. “I started right away after your call. Didn’t you?” he asked. Ann smiled. “Of course, and I averaged just 42 miles an hour all the way. You must have been speeding.” “Not really, but I did have 3 miles more to do than you,” replied Don. “So I

averaged 56 miles an hour and got here twenty minutes before you.” How far did he drive?

4

“Look, Dad,” said Ben, holding out a piece of paper. “Our new phone number is one less than the square of Grannie’s age.” Tom thought a moment. “The four-figure number, you mean,” he replied. “But if you add one to a third of it you get the square of my age. What about that?” What was the number?

5

“They didn’t have a dozen of the ones you wanted, so I bought all they had,” said Steve, handing his father the little paper bag. “All the same price, of course, and they came to threepence under five pounds.” Tom had a look. “Perfect,” he told the boy. “I couldn’t have chosen better.” How many had Steve bought?

6

Gail was opening her letters. “Here’s a nice cheque,” she said, passing it over to her husband. “My tax refund.” “I didn’t know any was due,” Tom commented. “But it’s a pity they didn’t give you pounds for pence and pence for pounds. That would have made it exactly seven pence less than twice as much.” What was the amount?