Discussion

Math English

Just for fun!

The dishonest waiter
Apple, Boyd and Cole had an expensive meal in a restaurant, and paid the bill of 30
by giving 10 each. Just as they were leaving, the manager checked the bill and saw
that they had been overcharged, so he gave 5 to the waiter to return to them.
On the way across the restaurant, the waiter put 2 in his own pocket and gave
1back to each of the customers. That means that Apple, Boyd and Cole had each
paid 9 (a total of 27), and the waiter 2, making a total of 29 altogether. What
happened to the missing 1?

The doctors children

Dr. Alpha met an old friend, Dr. Beta, whom he had not seen for a long while.
Dr Alpha: Hi, he said, Hows life treating you?
Dr Beta: Just fine, thanks, and you and your family?
Dr Alpha: Very well.
Dr Beta: How old are you children now?
Dr Alpha: Well, see if you can work it out. Ive got three children. If you
multiply their ages together you get thirty-six and if you add their ages, you get
the number of your old house in Hampstead.
Dr Beta: Hum? I dont think I can work it out with that information.
Dr Alpha: Well, in that case, let me tell you that the eldest one plays the violin
now.
Dr Beta: Aha! Now I know the answer.

Families
There were two Eskimos walking through the snow. The Eskimo on the left was the
father of the other ones son. How is this possible?

Just for Fun I.doc

Discussion

Math English

Just for fun!

The dishonest waiter
Apple, Boyd and Cole had an expensive meal in a restaurant, and paid the bill of 30 by
giving 10 each. Just as they were leaving, the manager checked the bill and saw that they
had been overcharged, so he gave 5 to the waiter to return to them.
On the way across the restaurant, the waiter put 2 in his own pocket and gave 1back to
each of the customers. That means that Apple, Boyd and Cole had each paid 9 (a total of
27), and the waiter 2, making a total of 29 altogether. What happened to the missing 1?
Answer: There is no missing 1. The net sum paid by the three men equals the net sum received by
the restaurant plus the sum stolen by the waiter, that is (9+9+9+2=29). There is no reason why this
sum should equal the amount paid for the original bill.

The doctors children

Dr. Alpha met an old friend, Dr. Beta, whom he had not seen for a long while.
Dr Alpha: Hi, he said, Hows life treating you?
Dr Beta: Just fine, thanks, and you and your family?
Dr Alpha: Very well.
Dr Beta: How old are you children now?
Dr Alpha: Well, see if you can work it out. Ive got three children. If you multiply their
ages together you get thirty-six and if you add their ages, you get the number of your
old house in Hampstead.
Dr Beta: Hum? I dont think I can work it out with that information.
Dr Alpha: Well, in that case, let me tell you that the eldest one plays the violin now.
Dr Beta: Aha! Now I know the answer.
Answer: The are eight ways in which three numbers can be multiplied to make thirty-six. If each of
these is added up, there are only two combinations which come to the same total all the other totals
are eliminated because Beta would know the answer at this stage. These are 6x6x1 and 9x2x2. Since
Alpha has an older child the answer 9x2x2.

Families
There were two Eskimos walking through the snow. The Eskimo on the left was the father of
the other ones son. How is this possible?
Answer: The two Eskimos were man and wife the man was the father of his wifes son.
Just for Fun I.doc