Quote :

"I looked up the solution. Want a hint?"

Yes, but the least helpful you can make it, the better.

5/8/2010 6:54:17 PM

Ok - here's the hint.

I know it seems like you can figure it out in your head. Instead, work it out on paper. Then read the question again very critically.

5/8/2010 7:42:43 PM

Wow, the solution is really subtle, almost to the point of being unfair.

5/8/2010 8:19:08 PM

[Edited on May 9, 2010 at 9:10 PM. Reason : hmm]

5/9/2010 9:09:58 PM

potential daughter ages / house numbers

1 2 18 = 21
1 3 12 = 16
1 4 9 = 14
1 6 6 can't be this one, because there would be 2 older "daughters"?

2 2 9 = 13
2 3 6 = 11

3 3 4 = 10

5/9/2010 9:29:15 PM

Right, so that suggests the answer is supposed to be 2, 2, and 9. I figured that out before internetting, but I still take issue with the solution. It's like they've never heard of "Irish twins" (siblings born between 9-12 months apart); there would still be an "oldest" child, but it would be the same age in years as the second oldest.

5/10/2010 11:41:46 AM

I don't understand. moron's answers are all possible (minus the one he scratched out). Why does the answer have to be 2,2, and 9? if it's any combination above, the rules are all met...

explain?

5/10/2010 2:39:15 PM

If it were any of the other combination of numbers the woman wouldn't need "one more piece of information." The only sum (and house number) that repeats is 13 (1+6+6 and 2+2+9). Thus the extra fact that they have an "oldest" daughter (as ^^ points out, supposedly) rules out the 1+6+6 combination.

5/10/2010 3:07:17 PM

ahh, ok

5/10/2010 3:26:39 PM

the perpetualness of this thread has not run out has it?

12/11/2010 6:48:54 AM