Henry Ernest Dudeney/Modern Puzzles/14 - An Easy Settlement/Mistake
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Source Work
1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles:
- Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems
- Money Puzzles
- $14$ -- An Easy Settlement
- Money Puzzles
Mistake
- Three men, Andrews, Baker and Carey, sat down to play at some game.
- When they put their money on the table it was found that they each possessed $2$ coins only, making altogether $\pounds 1 \ 4 \shillings 6 \oldpence$.
- At the end of play Andrews had lost $5$ shillings and Carey had lost sixpence, and they all squared up by simply exchanging the coins.
- What were the exact coins that each held on rising from the table?
The solution offered:
- At the start of play
- Andrews held a half-sovereign and a shilling,
- Baker held a crown and a florin,
- and Carey held a double florin and a half-crown.
- After settlement,
- Andrews held double florin and florin,
- Baker the half-sovereign and half-crown,
- and Carey held crown and a shilling.
- Thus Andrews lost $5 \shillings$, Carey lost $6 \oldpence$, and Baker won $5 \shillings 6 \oldpence$.
- The selection of the coins is obvious, but their allotment requires a little judgment and trial.
There are in fact $4$ distinct solutions.
The full analysis can be found here.
Sources
- 1926: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Modern Puzzles ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $14$. -- An Easy Settlement