Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/31 - A Queer Settling Up

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $31$

A Queer Settling Up

Person 1: "Here is my purse, give me just as much money as you find in it."

Person 2, having done that: "If you give me as much as I have left of my own, we shall be square."

After Person 2 has done that, Person 1 find his purse contains three shillings and sixpence,

while Person 2 has three shillings.

How much did each possess at the start?

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $31$. -- A Queer Settling Up
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Arithmetical and Algebraical Problems: Money Puzzles: $28$. A Queer Settling Up