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Merry Go Round Puzzle - Solution

Puzzles -> Sam Loyd Puzzles

Merry Go Round PuzzleThe Puzzle: While enjoying a giddy ride at the carousel Sammy propounded a puzzle which reflects much credit to his mental abilities.

"One third of the number of kids riding ahead of me, added to three-quarter of those riding behind me gives the correct number of children on this Merry-Go-Round" is the way he puts it; but it will puzzle you quite a little to tell just how many riders there were at this whirling circus.


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The Solution . . .

There must have been a multiple of 3 as well as 4 plus one children.

So, the minimum number of children riding on this Merry-Go-Round could be thirteen.

Those who rode ahead of Sammy at the same time came behind him.

If there were twelve, we simply add three-quarter of twelve to one-third of twelve, which gives thirteen, the total number including Sammy himself.


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