The Price of Eggs Puzzle - Solution
The Puzzle:
This odd little problem in domestic arithmetic was sprung by the cook upon Mrs. Smith when she wanted to know what the grocer charged for such small eggs.
"I paid twelve cents for the lot," replied Bridget, "but I made him throw in two extra ones, because they were so little, and you see that made them cost one cent a dozen less than his first asking price!"
Tell now how many eggs she received for her twelve cents?
"I paid twelve cents for the lot," replied Bridget, "but I made him throw in two extra ones, because they were so little, and you see that made them cost one cent a dozen less than his first asking price!"
Tell now how many eggs she received for her twelve cents?
Our Solution:
The grocer offered her sixteen eggs for twelve cents, which would be at the rate of nine cents a dozen.
She made him throw in two eggs extra, so that she got eighteen eggs for the twelve cents, which is at the rate of eight cents a dozen, or one cent a dozen less than the first price asked.
She made him throw in two eggs extra, so that she got eighteen eggs for the twelve cents, which is at the rate of eight cents a dozen, or one cent a dozen less than the first price asked.
Puzzle Author: Loyd, Sam
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