Random Puzzles 

Workings

Hint
The country spans more than one word.

Answer
Finland.

After many years studying in the field of astrophysics, the bofFIN LANDed a plum job with the National Space Agency, where he became a leading figure in the area of quasars.

Workings

Hint
Take a close look at Emery's statements.

Answer
Drew.

Reasoning
Since each suspect told the truth just once, Emery's statements mean that it was either Drew or Alex.

If it was Alex, then both of Billie's statements would be true, which isn't allowed (and similarly both of Drew's would be false).

Therefore, it was Drew.

This can be double-checked with all of the other statements.

Workings

Hint
If we look at all of the clues, each person appears exactly twice.

Answer
Alex had been teaching for 21 years.
Billie had been teaching for 15 years.
Charlie had been teaching for 7 years.

Reasoning
If we look at all of the clues, each person appears exactly twice.

So the total of the three clues gives us two lots of Alex + Billie + Charlie = 36 + 22 + 28 = 86.

So, Alex + Billie + Charlie = 43 years.

In each clue we are given two of the people, so we can use this to find the missing person:

   Charlie and Billie had been teaching for a total of 22 years, which means that Alex must be: 43 − 22 = 21 years.

   Charlie and Alex had been teaching for a total of 28 years, which means that Billie must be: 43 − 28 = 15 years.

   Alex and Billie had been teaching for a total of 36 years, which means that Charlie must be: 43 − 36 = 7 years.

Reasoning With Algebra
Let Alex = A, Billie = B and Charlie = C, then:

[1]   A + B = 36
[2]   C + B = 22
[3]   C + A = 28

If we use [3] − [2] we have:

[4]   A − B = 6

If we use [1] + [4] we have:

   2A = 42
    A = 21

By [1] B = 15. By [3] C = 7.

Workings

Hint
The word FEBRUARY appears 21 times.

Answer
The word FEBRUARY appears 21 times.