Puzzle 153
If I give you seven apples, you will then have five times as many as I would then have.
However, if you give me seven apples, we will then both have the same number of apples.
How many apples do I currently have?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
A little bit of algebra might help.
Answer
I have 14 apples and you have 28 apples.
Reasoning
We can work this out with a little algebra. I have A apples and you have B apples, then
[1] 5 x (A – 7) = B + 7
[2] A + 7 = B – 7
From [1] we have:
5A – 35 = B + 7
[3] 5A = B + 42
From [2] we have:
[4] A + 14 = B
We can then use [4] in [3] to give:
5A = (A + 14) + 42
5A = A + 56
4A = 56
A = 14
Which gives B = 28 (by [4]).
Puzzle 154
Which month comes next in this sequence:
July June March May ?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Look at the first letters.
Answer
November.
This is the next month in alphabetical order:
April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, September.
Puzzle 155
During the recent BrainBashers cipher convention, a Morse code contest took place.
The contest consisted of a Morse code transmission where the spaces between the letters and words were missing.
Can you find the ten names for pet cats?
Luckily, BrainBashers has provided you with a list of the Morse code characters:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
The first letters of the words are: F, T, W, S, F, T, T, T, S, M.
Answers
Fluffy
Tiger
Whiskers
Spot
Felix
Tom
Tabby
Tiddles
Socks
Mittens
Puzzle 156
Are there more loaves in a dozen baker's dozen …
… or points in the highest snooker break?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
There are 13 loaves in a baker's dozen.
Answer
Loaves in a dozen baker's dozen.
Reasoning
A baker's dozen is 13, so a dozen baker's dozen is:
12 x 13 = 156 loaves
There are 15 red balls in snooker, and each of these can be followed by the black ball, and then the colours in order gives:
15 x (1 + 7) + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 = 147 points
This can rise to 155 if the break follows a foul.
