Puzzle 285
If I give you seven apples, you will then have five times as many as I would then have.
However, if you give me seven apples, we will then both have the same number of apples.
How many apples do I currently have?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
A little bit of algebra might help.
Answer
I have 14 apples and you have 28 apples.
Reasoning
We can work this out with a little algebra. I have A apples and you have B apples, then
[1] 5 x (A – 7) = B + 7
[2] A + 7 = B – 7
From [1] we have:
5A – 35 = B + 7
[3] 5A = B + 42
From [2] we have:
[4] A + 14 = B
We can then use [4] in [3] to give:
5A = (A + 14) + 42
5A = A + 56
4A = 56
A = 14
Which gives B = 28 (by [4]).
Puzzle 286
What comes next in this sequence:
Dave Edward Duncan Neil Liam {?}
Choose from:
Alan, Kevin, John, Michael, Steve
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Answer
Michael.
Each name begins with the last letter of the preceding name.
Puzzle 287
How many cubic feet of earth are removed...
...to make a hole 4 feet wide by 7 feet long by 2 feet deep?
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Hint
Read the question carefully.
Answer
56 cubic feet (= 4 x 7 x 2).
We usually ask how much earth there is in a hole, which of course there is none!
Puzzle 288
Can you find a five-digit number...
...whose digits add up to 18 and whose product is 210 and the digits increase from left to right in the number?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Break down 210 into its factors.
Answer
12357.
Reasoning
Since 210 = 2 x 3 x 5 x 7, 12357 is the only way to get a 5-digit number, in ascending order.
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