Alok has three daughters. His friend Shyam wants to know the ages of his daughters. Alok gives him hints.
- The product of their ages is 72.
- The sum of their ages is equal to my house number.
- The oldest of the girls likes strawbarry ice-cream.
Answer:
Product of ages is 72. Below are all possibilities to get 72 from product of three different ages:
1 * 1 * 72 = 72
1 * 2 * 36 = 72
1 * 3 * 24 = 72
1 * 4 * 18 = 72
1 * 6 * 12 = 72
1 * 8 * 9 = 72
2 * 2 * 18 = 72
2 * 3 * 12 = 72
2 * 4 * 9 = 72
2 * 6 * 6 = 72
3 * 3 * 8 = 72
3 * 4 * 6 = 72
Sum of the ages is given
1 + 1 + 72 = 74
1 + 2 + 36 = 39
1 + 3 + 24 = 28
1 + 4 + 18 = 23
1 + 6 + 12 = 19
1 + 8 + 9 = 18
2 + 2 + 18 = 22
2 + 3 + 12 = 17
2 + 4 + 9 = 15
2 + 6 + 6 = 14
3 + 3 + 8 = 14
3 + 4 + 6 = 13
All sums are unique except 14. So the age sum must have been 14, otherwise Shyam would have guessed the ages from hint 1 only. So we have two possible combination to get sum 14
2 + 6 + 6 = 14
3 + 3 + 8 = 14
Alok has an oldest girl (not two!!). So the ages must be 3, 3 and 8.