A Verbal Arithmetic Puzzle - Solution

What was the puzzle?

Let's recall the original equation.

YE × ME = TTT.

Obviously, answer TTT is product of T x 111 = T x 3 x 37. 

So YE/ME = 37 and T x 3. Either way, E = 7.

And other number T x 3 is a 2-digit number with 7 at it's unit's place.

So that has to be 9 x 3 = 27.

Therefore,

YE (or ME ) = 37 and ME (or YE) = 27

Hence,
 
E + M + T + Y = 7 + 3 + 9 + 2 = 27.