The Most Twisted Thing Ever

RelientKFan7 · 03-28-2006, 05:31 PM

This is a wierd story problem that I have to figure out by Friday... here goes

A census taker is working door-to-door. At one house, he asks the owner, "How many children live at this house and what are their ages?" The owner answers, "I have three children and the product of ages is 72." The census taker tells the homeowner that he needs to know their exact ages. The owner replies, "Okay, the sum of their ages is my house number." The census taker glances at the house and number and states that he still needs more information. The gentlemen states, "Well, I'll tell you one more thing. My oldest child likes chocolate pudding." Finally satisfied, the census taker writes down the ages of the three children and moves on to the next house. What are the ages of the children.

The first time I was like "What the dirt!!!" I think the answer lies with house number or something else... is there an age you have to be to eat chocolate pudding??? Any help will be great!!! Thankz

bobthecockroach · 03-29-2006, 08:13 AM

I would imagine the significance of that information is that he doesn't have twins, but I haven't taken the time to work the problem.

GoMilton · 03-29-2006, 08:22 AM

Ive never liked problems like that in school. Unrealistic. I mean really, who in their right mind would give that sort of information to someone? It's easier for the person at the house to give the census guy the actual information than say stupid stuff like "I have three children and the product of ages is 72"
I hated school.

Anyways, ill see what I can come up with.

GoMilton · 03-29-2006, 08:31 AM

Ok...so, its a stupid problem but anyways,

The thing with the chocolate is that it shows that he has an "oldest" child which narrows down the answer. If he had a "youngest" child then it would be a different answer. There are twins.

Hope that helps you with getting your answer.

niangelo · 03-29-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoMilton

Ive never liked problems like that in school. Unrealistic. I mean really, who in their right mind would give that sort of information to someone? It's easier for the person at the house to give the census guy the actual information than say stupid stuff like "I have three children and the product of ages is 72"
I hated school.

Anyways, ill see what I can come up with.

The whole point is that it's ridiculous. It's just a setup to pose a tricky question.

nate95366 · 03-29-2006, 02:02 PM

It's a math problem. It's an invitation to set up a system of equations.

x + y + z = house number

xyz = 72

Does the problem give a house number? If so, that makes the problem easier...

bobthecockroach · 03-29-2006, 02:10 PM

Ok, so 72 is divisible by the following numbers:

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72

So, 2 * 3 * 12 = 72, and 17 is a perfectly valid house number.

Also, 2 * 4 * 9 = 72, and 15 is a perfectly valid house number.

The problem is unsolvable. There is insufficient information.

GoMilton · 03-29-2006, 02:15 PM

The house number doesnt matter. They want to know the ages of the children. The house number thing is just to throw you off but it has no purpose in the equation.

Napoleon17 · 03-29-2006, 02:19 PM

Yeah, this problem appears to have no solution. We need more information.

What kind of shampoo does the guy use?

bobthecockroach · 03-29-2006, 02:20 PM

If the house number thing doesn't matter, the problem is unsolvable. If the problem is solvable, it is because in order for the census taker to be confused, there must be two possible combinations of ages that add up to the house number, and only one of them must have an oldest child. Since we don't know the house number, there must be only one number which can formed in two different ways by adding up three numbers that multiply together to equal 72.

GoMilton · 03-29-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

If the house number thing doesn't matter, the problem is unsolvable. If the problem is solvable, it is because in order for the census taker to be confused, there must be two possible combinations of ages that add up to the house number, and only one of them must have an oldest child. Since we don't know the house number, there must be only one number which can formed in two different ways by adding up three numbers that multiply together to equal 72.

Exactly, there are several combinations to the equation but the key to it is that the person has an "oldest" child which leads you to the correct answer because in each combination, there is a set of the same number.

For example, 2 2 and 6 for one and 6 6 and 2 for the other combination. The "Oldest" child leads you to the 2 2 6 combination.

RelientKFan7 · 03-29-2006, 05:15 PM

Ok... i follow... but what about 3,3,8?? that combo gives you 14 as a house number, but so does 6,6,2? according to the fact that he has an older child it would be 3,3,8 right?? not 2 2 6??? and is he counting the older twin as being the same age as his twin??? or are they considered the same age???

GoMilton · 03-29-2006, 06:40 PM

You got it. The answer is 3, 3, 8. In years, the twins are the same age.

Mike Graham · 04-03-2006, 06:17 PM

Indeed. Insufficient data.

Insane Drummer · 04-24-2006, 03:21 PM

Tell me they don't actually give you crap like this at your school...