h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I couldn't resist, I couldn't resist!

don't do that to me, I'm having enough problems as it is concentrating on work without being reminded of H2IQ...
I think I must be suffering from withdrawal symptoms...

Here's a question to keep you going.

John and Mary were standing outside John's house.

John said "I have three daughters and their ages multiplied together make 36". Mary, who had never seen the daughters, said "I don't know their ages".

John said "Their ages added together make my house number" as he pointed to the number on his house. Mary said "I still don't know their ages".

John said "The eldest is more than a year older than the others". Mary said "Now I know their ages".

What is the number of John's house?

I could have known, no update of monday to give the answer and the point. (to me, I still hope)

10

Konrad

ooops

konrad

11 = 6 + 3 + 2

11 (2+3+6years old)

Marijn, you won't get your point from Greebo until she gets back from her trip to the Sahara in a week's time (assuming you were right in the first place).

there is another solution:

16=12+3+1
12*3*1=36

Konrad

How annoying - too late !

11

Who?
I know, Gnomon, that's why I hope, not expect.

Maybe she will give a point for this question also? Please Greebo?

Konrad's answer of 16 may well be right because question may have meant eldest is more than a year older than other two added together ?

*jumps*

Where did all those postings come from?

I posted too late!

*blows nose*

Thanks Gnomon, I'm feeling a bit better now... and so the others, I think!

hmph
^. .^
= ' =

13

Before the last statement, they could have been 6, 6 and 1, but after that Mary could tell that they were 9, 2 and 2.

You know, I actually had the Who's online window open all day at work, hoping against logic that I'd see Greebo there - and in the end it got so frustrating that I just simply had to create this conversation! *hands trembling*

You know how it is, don't you? Don't you? *pleading look*

I think Bagpuss has the best one.

As far as I can see, all possible solutions for the ages are:

eldest sum
36 1 1 38
18 2 1 21
12 3 1 16
9 4 1 14
9 2 2 13
6 6 1 13
6 3 2 11

Only with housenumber 13 you cannot say which solution it is, until the 'at least more than one year difference', so housenumber 13 and ages 9 2 2.
Marjin

Well done, Bagpuss. You get one virtual consolation point for the answer 13. You explained it correctly.