Puzzle 1
Below you will find well-known eight-letter words, with only their endings remaining.
Can you find the words?
-----rue
-----jar
-----dil
-----any
-----pox
-----gth
-----elf
-----oia
-----ige
-----hog
-----too
-----dix
-----fin
-----upt
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
The first letters of the words are: C, N, D, M, S, S, Y, P, P, H, C, A, P, B.
Answers
-----rue = construe
-----jar = nightjar
-----dil = daffodil
-----any = mahogany or epiphany
-----pox = smallpox
-----gth = strength
-----elf = yourself
-----oia = paranoia
-----ige = prestige
-----hog = hedgehog
-----too = cockatoo
-----dix = appendix
-----fin = paraffin
-----upt = bankrupt
Puzzle 2
Last week, I travelled from Birmingham to Glasgow, the long way round (on a bicycle!).
On the first day, I travelled one quarter of the distance.
On day two, I travelled one half of the remaining distance.
On day three, I travelled three quarters of the remaining distance.
Yesterday I travelled one third of the remaining distance.
I now have 21 miles left to travel.
How far is it from Birmingham to Glasgow in total?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
How many miles were left at the start of yesterday?
Answer
336 miles.
Reasoning
To work these numbers out, it is perhaps easier to start at the end and work backwards.
Yesterday I travelled 1/3 of the distance to leave 21 miles, therefore there were 31.5 miles (=21 ÷ 2/3) at the start of yesterday.
On day 3 I travelled 3/4 of the distance to leave 31.5 miles, therefore there were 126 miles (=31.5 ÷ 1/4) at the start of day 3.
On day 2 I travelled 1/2 of the distance to leave 126 miles, therefore there were 252 miles (=126 ÷ 1/2) at the start of day 2.
On the first day, I travelled 1/4 of the distance to leave 252 miles, therefore there were 336 miles (=252 ÷ 3/4) at the start of the first day.
Double-Checking
On the first day, I travelled one quarter of the distance (84, leaving 252).
On day two, I travelled one half of the remaining distance (126, leaving 126).
On day three, I travelled three quarters of the remaining distance (94.5, leaving 31.5).
Yesterday I travelled one third of the remaining distance (10.5).
I now have 21 miles left to travel.
Puzzle 3
Can you find the country hidden in the following paragraph:
As a keen photographer, I find the best way to capture the portrait of a gazelle is to stand well downwind. I also try to wear clothes that blend in with the background to reduce the chances of scaring the animal.
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
The country spans more than one word.
Answer
India.
As a keen photographer, I find the best way to capture the portrait of a gazelle is to stand well downwIND. I Also try to wear clothes that blend in with the background to reduce the chances of scaring the animal.
Puzzle 4
What number comes next in this sequence:
914275 94275 9475 975 {?}
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Which digit is removed each time?
Answer
97.
Reasoning
The lowest digit is removed each time.
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