Ramanujan's Puzzle Vault: Exclusive Math Riddles & Challenges From YoungSpark Magazine

Volume 1, Edition 1 – September 14, 2024 –(Answers will be featured in next week’s magazine)
Suitable for ages 8+

Explore the complete magazine for free – No subscription, No registration needed : – CLICK HERE

Riddle -1

The Apples Puzzle You have 12 apples, and you want to divide them into 4 bowls. Each bowl must have at least one apple, but no two bowls can have the same number of apples. How do you divide the apples?

To divide 12 apples into 4 bowls with each bowl having at least one apple and no two bowls containing the same number of apples, we can assign the following distribution:

Bowl 1= 1 apple,Bowl 2- 2 apples,Bowl 3= 3 apples, Bowl 4= 6 apples

This adds up to:1 + 2 + 3 + 6 = 12 apples

Each bowl has a different number of apples, and each bowl has at least one apple. This satisfies all the conditions of the puzzle!

Riddle – 2

The Odd Egg Riddle You have 8 eggs, and one of them is lighter than the others. How can you find the odd egg using a balance scale in just two weighing’s?

  • First Weighing: Split the 8 eggs into three groups: 3 eggs (A), 3 eggs (B), and 2 eggs (C). Weigh A against B.

    • If they balance: The lighter egg is in C (the 2 eggs).
    • If one side is lighter: The lighter egg is in that group of 3.

  • Second Weighing:

    • If you found the lighter egg in C: Weigh the 2 eggs against each other.
    • If you found it in a group of 3: Weigh 2 of those 3 eggs against each other.

Riddle – 3

The Age Riddle Three years ago, I was three times as old as my brother, but now I’m only twice as old. How old am I now?

  1. Let your age be X and your brother’s age be Y.
  2. Three years ago: X – 3 = 3(Y – 3).
  3. Now: X = 2Y.
  4. From the first equation: X = 3Y – 6.
  5. Substitute X = 2Y: 2Y = 3Y – 6, so Y = 6.
  6. Now, X = 2Y = 12.

Answer: You are 12 years old.

Number Puzzle – Puzzle- 1

I am a number that is exactly halfway between 10 and 100. What number am I?

To find the number halfway between 10 and 100:

  1. Add the two numbers: 10+100=11010 + 100 = 110.
  2. Divide by 2: 110÷2=55110 \div 2 = 55.

Answer: The number is 55.

Number Puzzle – Puzzle- 2

The sum of the digits of a two digit number is 8  and the difference between the number and that formed by reversing the digits is 18. Find the number.

Let the number be 10x+y10x + y.

  1. x+y=8x + y = 8
  2. (10x+y)−(10y+x)=18(10x + y) – (10y + x) = 18 simplifies to x−y=2x – y = 2

Solving:

  • From x+y=8x + y = 8 and x−y=2x – y = 2, add the equations: 2x=102x = 10, so x=5x = 5
  • Then, y=3y = 3

Answer: The number is 53.

Number Puzzle – Final Answer – 93