Random Puzzles 

Workings

Hint
The country spans more than one word.

Answer
Guinea.

During the recent BrainBashers aquatic contest, the walrus struggled to finish, the sea lion finished second, and the penGUIN EAsily won!

Workings

Hint
The first letter is M.

Answer
Mouse.

Reasoning
My first is in camel, and in hamster = AEM
My second is in otter, but not in ferret = O
My third is in mustang, but not in horse = AGMNTU
My fourth is in snake, and in asp = AS
My last is in tiger, and in panther = ERT

Workings

Hint
You might find Pythagoras' theorem very useful [a² + b² = c²].

Answer
148 inches.



We can use Pythagoras' theorem if we draw an imaginary line across to create a right-angled triangle.

The hypotenuse is equal to the rope's length R. The bottom of the triangle is 48 inches. The vertical side is R - 8 (the difference between 20 inches and 12 inches).

Pythagoras' theorem tells us that:

   a² + b² = c²

Where c is the hypotenuse.

This gives us:

          48² + (R - 8)² = R²

   2304 + (R - 8)(R - 8) = R²

    2304 + R² - 16R + 64 = R²

         2304 - 16R + 64 = 0

                     16R = 2368

                       R = 148

As required.

Workings

Hint
Try finding the cube root of 190,747.

Answer
53, 59, and 61.

Reasoning
Start by taking the cube root of 190,747, which is approximately 57.56.

The next highest prime number is 59:

   190,747 ÷ 59 = 3,233

Let's try the next prime number, which is 61:

     3,233 ÷ 61 = 53

53, 59, and 61, are all prime, and are consecutive, so this is the answer.

Double-Checking
   53 x 59 x 61 = 190,747