Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Chapter 4: Algebra Puzzle


  
Let us take pumpkins as p, ladybugs as b and starfish as s.  
3p= 12
1p=4
b+b+p=34
2b=34-p=34-4=30
1b=15
b+b+s=39
s=39-(b+b)=9
So, p= 4, b= 15, s= 9






Let us take papaya as p, apple as a and clock as c.
p+p+a    =38
p+p+a+a=68
There is an extra a, so:
a=68-38=30
2p=38-30=8
p=4
p+p+c=9
c=9-(p+p)=9-(4+4)=1
So, a= 30, p= 4,c= 1