Random Puzzles 

Workings

Hint
The answer isn't very large at all.

Answer
There are four boys and six girls in the family.

If there were B boys, and G girls we know that Billy has twice as many sisters as brothers, so 2 x (b − 1) = g.

And his sister, Frankie, has one more sister than she has brothers, so g − 1 = b + 1.
    2(b − 1) = g       [1]
       g − 1 = b + 1   [2]

Using [1] in [2] gives:

2(b − 1) − 1 = b + 1

Expanding the bracket gives:

  2b − 2 − 1 = b + 1

Simplifying the left hand side gives:

     2b − 3  = b + 1

Add 3 to each side gives:

          2b = b + 4

Subtract b from both sides gives:

           b = 4

Using b = 4 in [1] gives:

    2(4 − 1) = g

           6 = g

Workings

Hint
One of the words is GOAT.

Answer
slth   = sloth
rcn    = raccoon
mnky   = monkey
llgtr  = alligator
lphnt  = elephant
lnd    = eland
gt     = goat (or agouti)
br     = bear (or boar)
bbn    = baboon
cyt    = coyote

Workings

Hint
The first word begins with the letter Z.

Answers
-e--a   = zebra   (ZBR) -ui-ar  = guitar  (GT) --ick   = quick   (QU) -a-     = sad     (SD) bo-     = box     (X) -owe-   = vowel   (VL) -on-ey  = monkey  (MK) -el     = eel     (E) ra-     = ray     (Y) ---kage = package (PAC) --ll    = will    (WI) mo--    = moon    (ON) -eap    = heap    (H) -eep    = jeep    (J) -un     = fun     (F)
Alternative Answers
Zebra, guitar, quick, jam, box, vowel, donkey, eel, ray, package, will, moon, heap, seep, fun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, jaw, box, vowel, monkey, eel, ray, package, fill, moon, heap, deep, sun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, lay, box, vowed, monkey, eel, ran, package, will, mojo, heap, seep, fun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, way, box, vowel, monkey, eel, raj, package, sill, moon, heap, deep, fun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, say, box, vowed, monkey, eel, raj, package, hill, moon, leap, weep, fun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, has, box, vowed, monkey, eel, ray, package, will, moon, leap, jeep, fun.

Zebra, guitar, quick, oaf, box, vowel, monkey, eel, ray, package, dill, mown, heap, jeep, sun

Can you find another?

Workings

Hint
There is more than one way of completing this in 4 moves.

Answer
Ball bell hell heal head.
Ball bell hell held head.
Ball hall hell heal head.
Ball hall hell held head.