Hope some of you had a chance to solve the first puzzle (the firelog puzzle). If you have not seen it, please go to https://alokgoyal1971.com/2013/01/29/why-puzzle/
Here is the solution to the puzzle:
Mahesh gets Rs. 7 and Ramesh gets Rs. 1
Explanation:
Since Suresh has given Rs. 8 as his “equal” share, that means that the fair share for each of the three needs to be Rs. 8. Therefore a total of 8×3=Rs.24 has been spent on the firelogs (or the forelogs are worth this much money). Cost of each log therefore is Rs. 3.
Mahesh has spent Rs. 15 (5 firelogs x 3) and Ramesh has spent Rs. 9 (3 firelogs x 3). Therefore Mahesh has spent Rs. 7 (Rs. 15 – Rs. 8 which is his fair share) extra and Ramesh has spent Rs. 1 extra, which are the amounts they keep from the money given by Suresh.
A video version of the solution is available at: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcv6rxC4KErcxEtUX5NUslTMa__DuA4Rh
I was very happy to see many right responses, and also very happy to see many children writing to me. In particular, I thought that Shray solved the puzzle in a very unique way. I am including his answer verbatim:
Mahesh used 2 2/3 of his fire wood, so he gave Suresh 2 1/3 fire wood. Ramesh used 2 2/3 of his fire wood so he gave 1/3 fire wood. The ratio is 2 1/3 to 1/3 which is also 7:1 if you do 2 1/3 and 1/3 times 3. So Mahesh gets 7 rupees and Ramesh gets 1 rupee.
The fire log puzzle was really good
From nandini dube.
Thanks Nandini, very happy to see that you tried this, makes it worth for me to post these puzzles. Hope you keep doing these!
Excellent Idea……
Excellent idea! Love it…Love the way you explain the solutions too…fab!