Reasoning
We can multiply throughout by 12,
X X X X
- - - + - = -
X 2 4 12
to give:
12 − 6X + 3X = X
12 − 3X = X
12 = 4X
3 = X
As required.
Double-Checking
3 3 3 3
- - - + - = -
3 2 4 12
1 − 1.5 + 0.75 = 0.25
0.25 = 0.25, which confirms that 3 is correct.
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Puzzle 2
Using the clues below, can you find 8 four-letter words?
Once you have placed the words into the correct order, you will find that each word is different from the previous word by only one letter.
For example, FARE may be followed by FIRE, etc.
Additional items Insufficiently heated A female equine Insufficiently cooled Pottery A bump on a toad? The middle of an apple Insulated electrical wire
Answer
Insufficiently heated = cold
Insulated electrical wire = cord
The middle of an apple = core
Additional items = more
A female equine = mare
Pottery = ware
A bump on a toad? = wart
Insufficiently cooled = warm
Reasoning
Take the numbers in pairs, square the first, and reverse the digits.
1 1 (1 x 1 = 1, reversed is 1)
2 4 (2 x 2 = 4, reversed is 4)
3 9 (3 x 3 = 9, reversed is 9)
4 61 (4 x 4 = 16, reversed is 61)
5 52 (5 x 5 = 25, reversed is 52)
6 63 (6 x 6 = 36, reversed is 63)
7 94 (7 x 7 = 49, reversed is 94)
so we require:
8 46 (8 x 8 = 64, reversed is 46)
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Puzzle 4
Which is the odd one out:
CAT DOG GOLDFISH HAMSTER COW
