Puzzle 322
What is the smallest positive integer which …
… when multiplied by 3 gives a number consisting of only 4's?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zena
share
Hint
Try working backwards.
Answer
148.
Reasoning
A number that is divisible by 3 has digits that add up to a number that is also divisible by 3 (for example, 123 is divisible by 3).
So we can look for the first number where 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + … is divisible by 3, which is 4 + 4 + 4, and 444 ÷ 3 = 148.
Alternative Reasoning
Let's try the possible answers in order:
4 ÷ 3 = 1.3333
44 ÷ 3 = 14.6666
444 ÷ 3 = 148
Double-Checking
148 x 3 = 444.
Puzzle 323
What letter is missing from this sequence:
A · B · G · D · E · ? · E
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zwzq
share
Hint
This is quite a common alphabet.
Answer
Z.
From Zeta, first letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta.
Puzzle 324
What is the smallest positive integer, which, when multiplied by 6 …
… gives a number consisting of only 8's?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zcxa
share
Hint
Try working backwards.
Answer
148.
148 x 6 = 888.
The easiest way is to divide successive 8's by 6 until you get an integer:
8 ÷ 6 = 1.3333
88 ÷ 6 = 14.666
888 ÷ 6 = 148