Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/17 - The Missing Penny

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $17$

The Missing Penny

Here is an ancient puzzle that has always perplexed some people.

Two market women were selling their apples, one at three a penny and the other at two a penny.

One day they were both called away when each had thirty apples unsold:

these they handed to a friend to sell at five for twopence.

Now it will be seen that if they had sold their apples separately they would have fetched $2 \shillings 1 \oldpence$,

but when they were sold together they fetched only $2 \shillings$

Can you explain this little mystery?

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $17$. -- The Missing Penny
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $23$. The Missing Penny