"$1,000,000"
Mark:
1000000 base 10 = 11333311 base 7
In my humble opinion, that was almost the best answer ever in the history of the world. However, does it have one ?'3' too many? (not for base 7, but the answer)
He should give:
1 person $1
1 person $49
3 people $343
3 people $2401
3 people $16807
1 person $117649
1 person $823543.
Lets call a the number of people he leaves $1 to, b the number of people he leaves $7 to, c the number of people he leaves $49 to, etc. The solution equation is thus:
1,000,000 = a + 7b + 49c + 343d + 2401e + 16807f + 117469g + 822283h.
Next divide 1,000,000 by 7. If 1,000,000 is divisible by 7 we could divide the money without giving anyone only $1. However 1,000,000/7 = 142857 plus a remainder of 1. By giving one person $1 (a=1) we now have:
999,999 = 7b + 49c + 343d + 2401e + 16807f + 117469g + 822283h.
Next divide by 7:
142,857 = b + 7c + 49d + 343e + 2401f + 16807g + 117469h.
Dividing 142,857 by 7 we get 20,408 plus a remainder of 1. So let b=1, divide by 7, and we get:
20,408 = c + 7d + 49e + 343f + 2401g + 16807h .
Dividing 20,408 by 7 we get 2,915 plus a remainder of 3. So let c=3, divide by 7, and we get:
2915 = d + 7e + 49f + 343g + 2401h.
Dividing 2915 by 7 we get 416 plus a remainder of 3. So let d=3, divide by 7, and we get:
416 = e + 7f + 49g + 343h.
Dividing 416 by 7 we get 59 plus a remainder of 3. So let e=3, divide by 7, and we get:
59 = f + 7g + 49h.
Dividing 59 by 7 we get 8 plus a remainder of 3. So let f=3, divide by 7, and we get:
8 = g + 7h.
Obviously g=1 and h=1.
"A plane flies from Athens to Brussels at maximum speed. Normally, flying at maximum speed would enable it to reach Brussels in four-fifths of the time that it takes to fly there at cruising speed. On this occasion, however, the velocity of a favorable wind enables it to get there in only half the time it would normally take at maximum speed.
On the return journey, it leaves Brussels at 1 p.m... Ignoring time zones, and encountering the same velocity and direction of wind, at what time will the plane arrive back at Athens"
I posted this riddle the same time I received it, hoping to answer first. I sought clarification on a point and was sent the apparent solution:
"Never! Most of the information given is irrelevant. If the tails wind doubled its speed going, its velocity must be equalled that of the plane. On the way back, such a wind would effectively reduce the speed of the plane to zero."
Not one I agree with, but I'm not a pilot. What say you guy's?
You are standing on a rock in the middle of a circular lake of radius 1. There is a tiger on the shore of the lake that can run four times as fast you can swim, however the tiger can not swim. The tiger is hungry and always attempts to keep the distance between the two of you at a minimum.
How can you safely swim to shore
Done
Very
Grtoatituadle
Vsearichn