Reasoning
These are the initial letters of the planets.
M = Mercury
V = Venus
E = Earth
M = Mars
J = Jupiter
S = Saturn
??
Puzzle 6
Can you find a five-digit number that has no zeros nor ones in it and no digit is repeated, where:
The fourth digit is a quarter of the total of all of the digits.The second digit is twice the first digit.The third digit is the largest.The last digit is the sum of the first two digits.
Reasoning
We can start by labelling the digits as ABCDE.
We know that:
(i) B = 2 x A
and:
E = A + B
And using (i) we get:
E = A + (2 x A) (ii) E = 3 x A
If A = 1, this isn't allowed (as there are no 1's in the puzzle).
If A = 2, then B = 4, and E = 6.
If A = 3, then B = 6, and E = 9, but this isn't allowed (as C has to be the largest digit).
So, A = 2, B = 4, E = 6, and we now have to find C and D.
We also know that:
D = (A + B + C + D + E) ÷ 4
And using (i) and (ii) we get:
D = [A + (2 x A) + C + D + (3 x A)] ÷ 4
so:
3 x D = (6 x A) + C
so:
(iii) D = [(6 x A) + C] ÷ 3
C can only be 7, 8 or 9 (as it's the largest digit, and we've already found 6) and (iii) tells us that it must be a multiple of 3, which means that C = 9. Leaving D = 7.
So the final number is: 24976.
Double-Checking
The answer is 24976.
The fourth digit is a quarter of the total of all of the digits.
A + B + C + D + E = 2 + 4 + 9 + 7 + 6 = 28, and 28 ÷ 4 = 7.
The second digit is twice the first digit.
4 = 2 x 2.
The third digit is the largest.
9 is the largest digit.
The last digit is the sum of the first two digits.
6 = 2 + 4.
?
Puzzle 7
Apparently, one side of a cat has more hair. The findings of the scientific establishment have been corroborated by a special enquiry by the BB Feline Federation. Many hair counts were taken of the side in question and consistently it was found to contain more hairs. The scientists determined that more hair was required on this side to insulate the cat from the elements while it was lying down. Perhaps you would like to examine a cat to confirm the findings. Before you do, can you guess which side of a cat has more hair?
At the recent BrainBashers Championships, the 100 metres heats were closely observed.
Each contestant had to run in two races so that the average place could be determined.
Only one runner finished in the same place in both races.
Alex was never last. Chris always beat Dale. Billie had at least one first place. Alex finished third in at least one of the races. Both Dale and Chris had a second place.
Reasoning
Since Chris always beat Dale, and Dale had a second place, one race must have been Chris first and Dale second.
Billie therefore won the other race, with Chris second.
Since only one runner finished in the same place in both races, this must have been Alex in third.
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