Badly made wagons
When they started off on the great annual picnic every wagon in town was pressed into service. Half way to the picnic ground ten wagons broke down, so it was necessary for each of the remaining wagons to carry one more person. When they started for home it was discovered that fifteen more wagons were out of commission, so on the return trip there were three persons more in each wagon than when they started out in the morning. Now who can tell how many people attended the great annual picnic?
I should have called this one "Buggy wagons" - too late.
I should have called this one "Buggy wagons" - too late.
Labels: mathschallenge
posted by Chris at
8:04 PM
8 Comments:
umm.. total no. of people is 200.
time------- wagons--people in e.a wagon
starting -- 50 ---- 4
half way--- 40 ---- 5
returning-- 25 ---- 8
so, always the total number of ppl are 200. But, if ppl from other wagons joined them at the picnic, it will b more(but it isnt said anything like that)
I will post the method i got it later, gtg.
It's not a trick question and 200 is not even close.
oh! also, i forgot to say Chris, i wasnt offending u, sry if u did get offended (this is abt th goat puzzle)
I know that u solve real tough ones. I used to answer some of ur questions anonymously b4 also, but got sidetracked by my life, and barely used the computer, so long time since i posted, and now do it with a name :P
Zaux wasnt here when i used to post b4. And my comment earlier was bcuz i was surprised tht u fell for it!!
No offense intended. :)
aw shucks! i didnt see the 3 more ppl "than morning" b4...
ok, new answer:
total people are 900
start - 100 -- 9
half way- 90 -- 10
return - 75 -- 12
b4 i put it as initial ppl in e.a wagon +4 on return :P
Vago, thanks for apologising, but there was no need. I thought your comment was flattering.
Vago, 900 it is. Are you going to post how you did it?
Yes, here it is:
x = no. of ppl in each wagon
y = total number of wagons
Through out, im equating the total number of people.
start - xy = xy
halfway - (x+1)(y-10) = xy -10 + y -10x
return - (x+3)(y-25) = xy +3y - 75 -25x
as the total ppl dont change through out, they r all equal.
so, start and half wy give us:
10x -y+10 = 0 (since xy cancels)
and start and return gives:
25x - 3y +75 = 0 (same reason)
now equating them both, we get :
thrice first equation, and the second equation imply x = 9 and y = 100
hence total ppl r xy = 9*100 = 900
Thank you Vago. I asked, because the method of getting the answers is the best bit. And it may help others to gain from seeing how someone else has done it. I can't see the point of just seeing a number. It's why I avoid problems that require a programmatic "brute force" approach - I want to use my brain, not my brawn. Don't get me wrong, I have a high respect for programmatic methods.
Please take the next as encouragement, not criticism. Although I'm not 100% consistent, I would probably have used w or W for the initial number of wagons, and p or P for the initial number of people on each wagon, and boring old n or N for the total number of people. For some problems, it makes it much easier to understand what is going on.
I definitely use meaningful variable names when programming.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home