Answer
I asked for 7 feet, 4 inches and Alex brought me 4 feet, 7 inches.
Reasoning
If we label what I asked for as A feet and B inches, which is (12 x A + B) inches, then I actually received B feet and A inches, which is (12 x B + A) inches. Which means that:
5/8 x (12 x A + B) = (12 x B + A)
Simplifying gives:
A = 91/52 x B
As B is the number of inches, it can only be between 1 and 12 and must give A as a whole number of feet.
B = 4 is the only possible value, which means that A = 7.
So I originally asked for 7 feet, 4 inches.
Double-Checking
I received 4 feet, 7 inches = 55 inches.
I asked for 7 feet, 4 inches = 88 inches, and 88 x 5/8 = 55.
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Puzzle 58
Below is a grid which should contain animals. The missing letters for a particular column are listed at the top of that column. Can you 'drop' the missing letters in and complete the grid? Each animal begins with a different letter of the alphabet.
Answer
Illegible, eggshells and bobsleigh. The longest word is bibliologies with 12 letters.
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Puzzle 60
How many animals can you find in this rather curious poem:
A person, so simple we are.
Catch the kid o'er the bridge.
Follow the chief, oxtail soup we like.
Anagram ANPI gives us PAIN, cower under a ridge.
