Puzzle 365
Yesterday I was asked to buy some stamps.
In the land of BrainBashers, stamps are available in denominations of 3p, 9p, 11p, 17p, and 21p (just the five different values).
For three denominations of stamp I was asked to buy eight of each, and for the other two denominations I was asked to buy nine of each.
Unfortunately, I forgot which I was supposed to buy eight of, and which to buy nine of!!
Luckily I had been given the exact money required to buy the stamps, £5.00, so the shopkeeper was able to work out the stamps I needed.
Which stamps did I have to buy?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
I bought at least 8 of each stamp.
Answer
Eight lots of 11p, 17p and 21p, and nine lots of 3p and 9p.
Reasoning
For three denominations of stamp I was asked to buy 8 of each, and for the other two denominations I had to buy 9 of each.
So I had to buy at least 8 of all five denominations.
This would be for a total of 8 x (3 + 9 + 11 + 17 + 21) = 488p = £4.88.
The remaining 12p has to buy the remaining 2 stamps, which must have been 3p and 9p.
Double-Checking
9 x 3 = 27
9 x 9 = 81
8 x 11 = 88
8 x 17 = 136
8 x 21 = 168
For a total of 27 + 81 + 88 + 136 + 168 = 500p = £5.
Puzzle 366
Starting with WARM, change one letter at a time, and end with COOL?
Each change leaves the other letters in their original places and must result in a proper word.
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Hint
One answer changes Warm to Worm.
Answer
WARM, WORM, WORK, CORK, COOK, COOL
or
WARM, WORM, WORD, WOOD, WOOL, COOL.
Puzzle 367
What letter should complete this sequence:
L · A · H · A · R · U · R · E · D · L · ?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
These were a famous comedy duo.
Answer
Y.
From Laurel and Hardy, the names have been merged.
Puzzle 368
What number comes next in this sequence:
42 · 1412 · 11141112 · 31143112 · 132114132112 · ?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Say each number, one digit at a time.
Answer
11131221141113122112.
Reasoning
Each term describes the previous term.
For example, 42 = one four, one two = 1412.
And, 1412 = one one, one four, one one, one two = 11141112.
