Saturday, May 19, 2012

Which Hexagon






Puzzle Answer



Answer:

C; so that one dot is in both squares and the other dot is in both squares and the circle.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Missing Section

Which section is missing?



Puzzle Answer





Answer:

C: added together, opposite segments contain six empty circles and three with a stripe.

The best comparison

Which of the five makes the best comparison?

YYZZZYZZY is to 221112112 as YYZZYZZY is to:

a) 221221122

b) 22112122

c) 22112112

d) 112212211

e) 212211212
Puzzle Answer



Answer: 

c. Substitute numbers for letters-. Y = 2; Z = 1.

Two words using ten letters

Create two words using the following ten letters each once only.

VODLTAMYSE


Puzzle Answer



Answer:

Vast & Melody

Sunday, May 6, 2012

$100 for 100 pens

Your boss has asked you to purchase three different types of ballpoint pen. The first costs 50, the second $5.50, and the third $9.50. He has given you $100 and told you to purchase 100 pens in any combination as long as you spend exactly $100 for 100 pens. Just one solution is possible. Can you find it?

Hint: Familiarity with solving simultaneous equations would be helpful here.




Puzzle Answer





Answer:

It is always helpful to set up a legend of what is given and to work from there.

X = $.50 pens
Y = $5.50 pens
Z = $9.50 pens

Set up two equations as follows:

X + Y + Z = 100
$.50X + $5.50Y + $9.50Z = 100

Now, we need at least one of the values to drop out in order to consider the other two. Multiply the first equation by - .5 to drop X out of both equations.

- 0.5X - 0.5Y - 0.5Z = -50
+ 0.5X + 5.5Y + 9.5Z = 100
__________________________
+ 5.0Y + 9.0Z = 50

5Y = 50 - 9Z
Y = 10 - Z

Since we're dealing with whole numbers, Z must be a whole number and a multiple of 5. In this case, Z can only equal 5. With any greater number, Y will become a negative number. So, Z = 5 and Y becomes 1 leaving X to be 94 pens at $.50.

94 pens at $.50
1 pen at $5.50
5 pens at $9.50