Puzzle 574
My friend's son, Billy, has the same number of brothers as sisters.
His sister, Laura, has twice as many brothers as she has sisters.
How many boys and girls are in the family?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zhnz
share
Hint
A little algebra might help.
Answer
There are four boys and three girls.
If we call the number of boys B, and girls G.
From the first statement (we take one off as Billy is a boy):
B − 1 = G
and similarly:
2 x (G − 1) = B
Substitute G from the first equation into the second equation to give:
2 x ((B − 1) − 1) = B
2 x (B − 1) − 2 = B
2 x B − 2 − 2 = B
2 x B − 4 = B
B = 4
which means that B = 4 and hence G = 3.
Puzzle 575
HWAYETRDETIPZLHV
OMNLTESOSHSUZEAE
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zhkg
share
Hint
The question is written in English, but not in its usual order.
Answer
32.
Reading one letter from the top row and then one from the bottom row, the puzzle reads: 'How many letters does this puzzle have'.
Puzzle 576
What 5-letter word can be added to the end of these words to make new words:
green out light bird boat club cook
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
workings
hint
answer
print
www.brainbashers.com
/puzzle/zjfh
share
Hint
The word begins with the letter H.
Answer
House.
To give: greenhouse, outhouse, lighthouse, birdhouse, boathouse, clubhouse, cookhouse.
next >