[c0nstant]

Two old friends meet on the street. The first asks the second how his family is. He replies. "They're great. I have three daughters. The sum of their ages is 13. The product of their ages is the number on the house across the street."

The first man thinks for a moment, and he can't figure out the daughters' ages. He says, "I think I need more information." The second man replies, "oh right, my oldest daughter plays soccer." The first says, "Ok, now I've got it."

How old are the children?

ill post the solution once enough people go crazy trying to figure it out

[c0nstant]

also, inb4radix

[Ochmonek]

9, 2, 2

[Kensta335]

Originally Posted by Ochmonek

9, 2, 2

/thread

[c0nstant]

im really impressed, would you mind posting your rationale?

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by jh valley

im really impressed, would you mind posting your rationale?

Here are the possible ages (and their product) of the children:

1,1,11=11

1,2,10=20

1,3,9=27

1,4,8=32

1,5,7=35

1,6,6=36

2,2,9=36

2,3,8=48

2,4,7=56

2,5,6=60

3,3,7=63

3,4,6=72

3,5,5=75



Since the ages couldn't be figured out with that one clue, the house number had to be 36, but there are two products (bolded above) that equal 36: (9, 2, 2) and (1, 6, 6). The answer (9, 2, 2) couldn't be figured out until the clue was given that there was an oldest daughter.

[c0nstant]

good work, man. ill need to find a tougher one next time

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by jh valley

good work, man. ill need to find a tougher one next time

Bring it on.

[MJC///M3]

I've seen this question worded a bit differently and with the usage of "twins" and a red dress.

Answer was the same....

Ochmonek...nice work.

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by MJC///M3

I've seen this question worded a bit differently and with the usage of "twins" and a red dress.

Answer was the same....

Ochmonek...nice work.

That's why I posted just the answer initially. I had to figure it out all over again to show the solution.

[808six]

Originally Posted by Ochmonek

Here are the possible ages (and their product) of the children:

1,1,11=11

1,2,10=20

1,3,9=27

1,4,8=32

1,5,7=35

1,6,6=36

2,2,9=36

2,3,8=48

2,4,7=56

2,5,6=60

3,3,7=63

3,4,6=72

3,5,5=75



Since the ages couldn't be figured out with that one clue, the house number had to be 36, but there are two products (bolded above) that equal 36: (9, 2, 2) and (1, 6, 6). The answer (9, 2, 2) couldn't be figured out until the clue was given that there was an oldest daughter.

come again??

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by 808six

come again??

hurr derp durf durf

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by 808six

COME AGAIN?

The children's ages added up to 13. Those are the possible solutions. The product of their ages was the house number across the street. So, 1 x 1 x 11 = 11, etc. Since two of the possible products are 36 (1 x 6 x 6 = 36, and 9 x 2 x 2 = 36), the answer can't be figured out until the clue was give that there is an oldest daughter (the 9 year old). You wouldn't say "oldest daughter" if they were twins (the 6 year olds). So, the answer is that the children are 9, 2 and 2.

Clearer ??

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by Ochmonek

The children's ages added up to 13. Those are the possible solutions. The product of their ages was the house number across the street. So, 1 x 1 x 11 = 11, etc. Since two of the possible products are 36 (1 x 6 x 6 = 36, and 9 x 2 x 2 = 36), the answer can't be figured out until the clue was give that there is an oldest daughter (the 9 year old). You wouldn't say "oldest daughter" if they were twins (the 6 year olds). So, the answer is that the children are 9, 2 and 2.

Clearer ??

ignore him, he isnt the brightest member.

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by jh valley

hurr derp durf durf

[Ochmonek]

Originally Posted by jh valley

ignore him, he isnt the brightest member.

[808six]

yeah thanks, got anymore

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by 808six

yes thank you, its much "clearer"

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=102730

nice try with the edit.

[whyrms]

so you assumed that the house number was 36 since it was the only product that was not unique? hence the second friend needed a third clue?
Well I supposed you got a point...

how about this one: "A truck traveling at a constant speed on a straight road suddenly makes a right turn. On the truck bed are two open lid crates that contains oranges and carrots. The crates are free to slide on the truck's bed since they are not attached to anything. During the sharp turn, what dropped?"

edit; the truck bed has side walls, so the box can't slide off the truck.

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by whyrms

so you assumed that the house number was 36 since it was the only product that was not unique? hence the second friend needed a third clue?
Well I supposed you got a point...

how about this one: "A truck traveling at a constant speed on a straight road suddenly makes a right turn. On the truck bed are two open lid crates that contains oranges and carrots. The crates are free to slide on the truck's bed since they are not attached to anything. During the sharp turn, what dropped?"

edit; the truck bed has side walls, so the box can't slide off the truck.

the carrots because theyre the only things that fit through the side walls? i have no idea lol

also, of course you can assume the house number is 36. if it was any other of the listed numbers, the man wouldve easily figured out the ages of the 3 girls. thats the whole reason he needed the 'oldest daughter' clue. this is all assuming the man can easily see the house number, it is across the street

[whyrms]

here's a big clue; what was gained?

[nightkhan]

Originally Posted by Ochmonek

The children's ages added up to 13. Those are the possible solutions. The product of their ages was the house number across the street. So, 1 x 1 x 11 = 11, etc. Since two of the possible products are 36 (1 x 6 x 6 = 36, and 9 x 2 x 2 = 36), the answer can't be figured out until the clue was give that there is an oldest daughter (the 9 year old). You wouldn't say "oldest daughter" if they were twins (the 6 year olds). So, the answer is that the children are 9, 2 and 2.

Clearer ??

not getting how you came to the conclusion that the house number is 36. please explain

Edit: nevermind...read the further explanation...got it