The First Case of Mystery Number

There is a ten-digit mystery number (no leading 0), represented by ABCDEFGHIJ, where each numeral, 0 through 9, is used once. 

Given the following clues, what is the number?

1) A + B + C + D + E is a multiple of 6.

2) F + G + H + I + J is a multiple of 5.

3) A + C + E + G + I is a multiple of 9.

4) B + D + F + H + J is a multiple of 2.

5) AB is a multiple of 3.

6) CD is a multiple of 4.

7) EF is a multiple of 7.

8) GH is a multiple of 8.

9) IJ is a multiple of 10.

10) FE, HC, and JA are all prime numbers.

NOTE : AB, CD, EF, GH and IJ are the numbers having 2 digits and not product of 2 digits like A and B, C and D .....

HERE is that MYSTERY number! 

Demystifying The First Mystery Number

What was the challenge?

Take a look at the clues given for identifying the number ABCDEFGHIJ.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) A + B + C + D + E is a multiple of 6.
 
2) F + G + H + I + J is a multiple of 5.
 
3) A + C + E + G + I is a multiple of 9.
 
4) B + D + F + H + J is a multiple of 2.
 
5) AB is a multiple of 3.
 
6) CD is a multiple of 4.
 
7) EF is a multiple of 7.
 
8) GH is a multiple of 8.
 
9) IJ is a multiple of 10.
 
10) FE, HC, and JA are all prime numbers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEPS :  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 1 : Since, the digits in number ABCDEFGHIJ are from 0 to 9 with no repeat, the sum of all digits must be 0 + 1 + .....+ 9 = 45.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STEP 2 : In first 2 conditions, it's clear that all digits of mystery number are added i.e. from A to J. However, addition of first 5 digits is multiple of 6 and addition of rest of digits is multiple of 5. 

That means the total addition of 45 must be divided into 2 parts such that one is multiple of 6 & other is multiple of 5.

30 and 45 is only pair that can satisfy these conditions. Hence,

A + B + C + D + E = 30.

F + G + H + I + J = 15.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 3 : In next 2 conditions, sums of digits at odd positions and even positions are listed. Moreover, the sum of digits at odd positions has to be multiple of 9 & that of at even positions need to be multiple of 2.

So again,  the total addition of 45 must be divided into 2 parts such that one is multiple of 9 & other is multiple of 2.

The only pair to get these conditions true is 27 and 18. Hence, 

A + C + E + G + I = 27.

B + D + F + H + J = 18.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 4 : As per condition 9, IJ is multiple of 10. For that, J has to be 0 and with that now 0 can't be anywhere else. J = 0. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 5 : Since, one digit can be used only once, numbers like 11, 22, 33....are eliminated straightaway.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 6 : As per condition 10, JA is prime number. With J = 0, for JA to be prime number, A = 2, 3, 5, 7. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

STEP 7 : As per condition 5, AB is a multiple of 3. 

Let's list out possible value of AB without any 0, possible digits of A = 2, 3, 5, 7 and excluding numbers having 2 same digits as -

  21, 24, 27, 36, 39, 51, 54, 57, 72, 75, 78. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 8 : For numbers FE and HC to be prime (as per condition 10), C and E can't be 0, 5 or even.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 9 : As per condition 6, CD is multiple of 4 and as per condition 8, GH is multiple of 8. So, D and H has to be even digits.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 10 : As per condition 6, CD is a multiple of 4. So the possible values of CD without 0, with C not equal to 5 and with odd C, even D -

  12, 16, 32, 36, 72, 76, 92, 96. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

STEP 11 : As deduced in STEP 3 , B + D + F + H + J = 18.  

With J = 0 and D, H as even digits (STEP 9), both B and F has to odd or even to get to the even total of 18. 

If both of them are even then the total of 

B + D + F + H + J  = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 0 = 20.

which is against our deduction.

Hence, B and F must be odd numbers. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 12 : So, possible values of AB deduced in STEP 7 are revised with odd B as -

  21, 27, 39, 51, 57, 75.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 13 : As per condition 7, EF is a multiple of 7. With F as odd (STEP 11), along with E as odd, not equal to 5 (STEP - 8), possible value of EF are - 

  21, 49, 63, 91.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 14 : But as per condition 10, FE is PRIME number. Hence, the only possible value of EF from above step is 91. SO, E = 9 and F = 1.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 15 : Now after 1 and 9 already taken by F and E, possible value of AB in STEP 12 are again revised as - 27, 57, 75. And it's clear that either A or B takes digit 7. So 7 can't be used further.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 16 : So after 7 taken by A or B, E = 9, F = 1 possible values of CD deduced in STEP 10 are revised as - 32, 36.  Hence, C = 3.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 17 : With AB = 27, CD can't be 32. And if AB = 27, CD = 36 then,

A + B + C + D + E = 2 + 7 + 3 + 6 + D + 1 = 30.

D = 13.

This value of D is impossible.

Moreover, if CD = 32 and AB = 75 or 57, 

A + B + C + D + E = 5 + 7 + 3 + 2 + D + 1 = 30.

D = 12.

Again, this value of D is invalid. 

Hence, CD = 36 i.e. C = 3 and D = 6 and AB = 57 or 75 but not 27.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 18 : With AB = 57 or 75, CD = 36, EF = 91, J = 0, possible values of GH which is multiple of 8 (condition 8) are -  24, 48. 

That means either G or H takes 4. Or G is either 2 or 4.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 19 :  Now as deduced in STEP 3,

A + C + E + G + I = 27. 

A + 3 + 9 + G + I = 27

A + G + I = 15.
 
The letter G must be either 2 or 4 and A may be 5 or 7.

If A = 5, G = 4 then I = 6

If A = 7, G = 2 then I = 6

But we have D = 6 already, hence both of above are invalid.

If A = 7, G = 4 then I = 4.

Again, this is invalid as 2 letters G and I taking same digit 4.

Hence, A = 5, G = 2 is only valid combination thereby giving I = 8.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

STEP 20 : 

If A = 5, then B = 7 ( STEP 17 ). 

C = 3, D = 6 ( STEP 17 ).

E = 9, F = 1 ( STEP 14).

If G = 2, then H = 4 ( STEP 18 & 19).

I = 8 (STEP 19), J = 0 ( STEP 4). 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

CONCLUSION :

Hence, the mystery number ABCDEFGHI is 5736912480.

In the end, just to verify if the number that we have deduced is following all given conditions, 

1) 5 + 7 + 3 + 6 + 9 = 30 is  a multiple of 6.
2) 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 0 = 15 is a multiple of 5.
3) 5 + 3 + 9 + 2 + 8 = 27 is a multiple of 9.
4) 7 + 6 + 1 + 4 + 0 = 18 is a multiple of 2.
5) 57 is a multiple of 3.
6) 36 is a multiple of 4.
7) 91 is a multiple of 7.
8) 24 is a multiple of 8.
9) 80 is a multiple of 10.
10) 19, 43, and 05 are prime numbers.

The Fearsome Logical Challenge

You and your two friends Pip and Blossom are captured by an evil gang of logicians. In order to gain your freedom, the gang’s chief, Kurt, sets you this fearsome challenge.

The three of you are put in adjacent cells. In each cell is a quantity of apples. Each of you can count the number of apples in your own cell, but not in anyone else’s. You are told that each cell has at least one apple, and at most nine apples, and no two cells have the same number of apples.

The rules of the challenge are as follows: 

The three of you will ask Kurt a single question each, which he will answer truthfully ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Every one hears the questions and the answers. He will free you only if one of you tells him the total number of apples in all the cells.

    Pip: Is the total an even number?

    Kurt: No.

    Blossom: Is the total a prime number?

    Kurt: No

You have five apples in your cell. What question will you ask?

THIS should be the question that you need to ask!

Logical Response to The Fearsome Challenge

What was the challenge?

Remember, all you have to do is that ask one crucial question to logicians and not necessarily deduce the total count of apples.

Since, each cell has 1 to 9 apples and no two cells have same number of apples, the lowest count of apple is 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 and the highest count would be 7 + 8 + 9 = 24.

That is the total number of apples could be between 6 to 24.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, Pip and Blossom already have gathered some information about the total.

1. The total is not an even number - Hence, only numbers  7,9,11,13,14,15,17,19,21,23 can represent the total count.

2. The Total is not a prime number - Out of the number above, only 9, 15, 24 are non-prime number.

Hence, the total count must be among 9,15 or 24.

Now, your task is easier. All you need to ask the Kert below question -

"Is total is 15?"
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CASE 1 : Total is really 15 -

Then Kert would reply with YES to your question and all of you know the total now.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CASE 2 : Total is 9 -

The Kert's answer to your question would be NO.

If the total is 9 and you have 5 apples then rest of 4 apples must be distributed among Pip and blossom as (1,3) or (3,1) but can't be (2,2) since no 2 cells can have same number of apples.

Now, the friend having 1 apple (or 3 apples) can think that the total can't be 21 as in that case other 2 must have total of 20 (or 18) apples. But the maximum that other two can have is 9 + 8 = 17 apples.

So any of them can deduce that the total is 9.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
CASE 3 : Total is 21 -

Since you have 5 apple other 2 must be having total of 16 apples. One of them must be having 7 apples and other having 9 apples.

The friend having 9 apples can easily deduce the count at 21 since 9 as a total count is impossible in the case as for that the other must have 0 apples.

And the friend with 7 apples know that other can't have 1 + 1 or 2 + 0 (as per given data) apples in order to have total count of 9. Hence, he too can deduce that the total must be 21.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To conclude, depending on the what Kert answers to your question and the count of apples that each of other 2 friends have one of them (or you too if count is 15) can deduce the total number of apples easily. And eventually, logicians have to set you free as promised.

A Letter Delivery to the Leader

There is a 50m long army platoon marching ahead. The last person in the platoon wants to give a letter to the first person leading the platoon. So while the platoon is marching he runs ahead, reaches the first person and hands over the letter to him and without stopping he runs and comes back to his original position.

In the mean time the whole platoon has moved ahead by 50m.

The question is how much distance did the last person cover in that time.

Assuming that he ran the whole distance with uniform speed. 

Skip to the answer!

Distance Covered by Letter Delivery Person

What was the puzzle?

Let's suppose the first person of the platoon move X meters ahead by the time the last person reaches to him.

To reach at him, the last person has to cover distance of 50 + x.

Assume M be the speed of last person and P be the speed of platoon i.e. of first person.

If T1 is time needed for the last person to get to at the first person,

T1 = (50 + X)/M

T1 = X/P

(50 + X)/M = X/P

M/P = (50 + X)/X  ..........(1)

As per given data, by the time the last person gets back to it's original position (i.e. end of platoon), the platoon moves 50m ahead from it's position that was when the last person started his journey towards first person.

That is end of platoon is now at position at which the start of platoon was initially.

Since, the first person has already moved X meters ahead, he has to move only 50 - X meter to lead the platoon 50m ahead of it's original position.

And, the last person has to move only X meters to get back to  original position i.e. the end of platoon.

If T2 is the time taken by last person to get back to original position (i.e. time taken by first person to move ahead 50 - x) then,

T2 = X/M

T2 = (50 - X)/P

X/M = (50 - X)/P

M/P = X/(50 - X)  ..........(2)

Equating (1) and (2),

(50 + X)/X = X/(50 - X)

X^2 = (50 + X)(50 - X)

X^2 = 2500 - X^2

X^2 = 1250

X = 35.355 meters.

So,

the distance traveled by the last person = (50 + X) + X 
                                                          
                                                          = (50 +35.355) + 35.355 

the distance traveled by the last person = 120.71 meters.

The ratio of their speeds = M/P = (50 + X)/X = (50 + 35.355)/35.355 = 2.41

M = 2.41 P

That is the speed of last man is 2.41 times the speed of first man or the speed of platoon itself.

And that's the speed the last man needed to reach at the first person of the platoon.

"When is the train?"

Lonnie is taking the train to the Library. He tells Rosti the hour of his train’s departure and he tells Ann at which minute it leaves. He also tells them both that the train leaves between 0600 and 1000.

They consult the timetable and find the following services between those two time:

0632 0643 0650 0717 0746 0819 0832 0917 0919 0950
 
Rosti then says “I don’t know when Lonnie’s train leaves but i am sure that neither does Ann”

Ann Replies “I didn’t know his train, but now I do”

Rosti responds “Now I do as well!”

When is Lonnie’s train and how do you know?

THIS is how you should know the correct time!

Similar Kind of Puzzle! 

Scheduled Time of Lonnie's Train

What was the puzzle?

Lonnie tells Rosti the hour of his train’s departure and he tells Ann at which minute it leaves.

Rosti and Ann consult the timetable and find the following services between those two time: 

0632 0643 0650 0717 0746 0819 0832 0917 0919 0950

Rosti then says “I don’t know when Lonnie’s train leaves but i am sure that neither does Ann”

Ann Replies “I didn’t know his train, but now i do”

Rosti responds “Now I do as well!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. If Ann had 43 as a number representing the minutes then she would have an idea of exact time of Lonnie's train as 0643 straightaway as 43 appears only once in the list.

But she says in her statement that she didn't know his train (initially). Hence, she must not had number 43.

2. Similarly, Ann must not had 46 as well as it appear only once in the list in form of 0746.

3. Now, let's think from Rosti's point of view for a moment. How he was sure that Ann too doesn't know the exact time.

Had he got number 6 (or 7) then what he would have thought - 

"Ann might have got 43 (or 46) and hence may know the exact time as 0643 (or 0646). Or she might not have the exact time if she has got any other number. 

I'm not sure whether Ann knows or doesn't know the exact time"

Since, Rosti is sure that Ann too doesn't know the exact time he must not have got number 6 or 7. 

So all timing with 6 and 7 hours in are eliminated leaving behind timing with 8 and 9 hours as - 

0819 0832 0917 0919 0950

4. Ann is smart enough to list out above timings as possible timings after Rosti's first statement.

Now if Ann had number 19 then she would have been confused with 2 timings 0819 and 0919. 

Since, she is sure that she has got correct time it must be among - 0832 0917 0950 where minutes are appearing uniquely.

5. What if Ann had got 17 (or 50) and she deduced correct time as 0917 (or 0950) ? 

That means Rosti must had number 9. With that number, how he would know the correct time whether it is 0917 or 0950?

Since, in his next statement he say that he too know the correct time he must have got number 8 and that's how he know the correct time is 0832.

And since Ann got number 32 with which she is sure that the correct time is 0832.  

 

The Secret Word - Puzzle

A teacher writes six words on a board: “cat dog has max dim tag.” She gives three students, Albert, Bernard and Cheryl each a piece of paper with one letter from one of the words.

Then she asks, “Albert, do you know the word?” Albert immediately replies yes.

She asks, “Bernard, do you know the word?” He thinks for a moment and replies yes. 

Then she asks Cheryl the same question. She thinks and then replies yes. 

What is the word?

THIS must be the given word! 

The Secret Word - Solution

What was the puzzle?

A teacher writes six words on a board: CAT, DOG, HAS, MAX, DIM, TAG 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Albert knows the word right away because he must have received unique letter from above words. Had he received the letter A then he wouldn't have figured out the exact word as A appears in CAT, HAS, MAX and TAG. 

Similarly, he must not have received letters T, D, M and G as those appears multiple times in the list of words.


That is, he must have letter from unique letters C, O, H, S, X, I as they appears only once in the above list of words.

With that the word TAG is eliminated out of the race since any of unique letters doesn't appear in the word TAG.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Now, words left are - CAT, DOG, HAS, MAX, DIM 

In a moment of thinking, Bernard can conclude that the TAG can't be the word and Albert must have got some unique letter from the given words.

After providing letter from C, O, H, S, X, I to Albert, teacher provides letter from rest of letters to Bernard.


Now, if she had given letter -

A - Bernard wouldn't have idea whether the word is CAT, HAS or MAX

D - Bernard wouldn't have idea whether the word is DOG or DIM

M - Bernard wouldn't have idea whether the word is MAX or DIM

That is she must had given letter from unique letters T, O, G, H, S, X.

So, at start, if she provides letter I to the Albert then she can't provide D or M of word DIM to Bernard to give him equal chance to identify the word. 

Hence, the word DIM is also eliminated out of race.

If she had provided letter O to Bernard, then Albert would have been with either D or G with which he wouldn't have been able to figure out the exact word whether it is DOG/DIM or DOG/TAG respectively. Hence, Bernard must not be with letter O.

If Bernard is with letter X then Albert must had either M or A with which he couldn't have figured out the exact word among MAX/DIM or CAT/HAS/TAG/MAX. Hence, Bernard can't have X as well. With that MAX is also eliminated.

Now, if Bernard has letter - 

T - Albert might be with C

G - Albert might be with O

H - Albert may have S

S - Albert may have H. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The words left are - CAT, DOG, HAS.

Again, in a moment of thinking, Cheryl deduced list of 3 possible words as above.

Now, if she had letter A then she wouldn't have idea of exact word whether it is CAT or HAS. 


If she had unique letter among C/T (or H/S), then either Albert or Bernard with letter A would have been unsuccessful in guess.

If she had letter O/G then either Albert of Bernard would have been with letter D by which they wouldn't know the exact word. 

Hence, Cheryl must had letter D and the word must be DOG.

Albert must have got letter O and the Bernard must have received letter G.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------