An Age Conundrum
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017On an snowy Sunday afternoon, Friedrich was walking down an icy street deep in thought when he bumped into his mathematician colleague Leonard.
“Hi Leonard, nice to see you again,” mumbled Friedrich absent-mindedly, his breath emanating from his nostrils as fog in the cold.
“Likewise, Friedrich. You seem to be absorbed in something,” observed Leonard while smacking his gloved hands together to keep warm.
“Yes, you are right. I just came from visiting my brother Pascal and his family. He gave me a conundrum for the ages of the children of his brother-in-law, which I am ruminating on,” said Friedrich, scratching his head.
“I’m completely curious,” said Leonard with big eyes.
“Ok, Leonard, here you have the convoluted puzzle. Let’s see what you can do with it,” said Friedrich:
“When Albert is a third as old as Tina will be the year before when Albert is half as old as Lola is now, Tina will be twice as old as Lola was when Albert was half his current age.”
“A year ago Tina was older than Albert’s current age by one eighth of the product of Tina and Lola’s present age difference and that of Lola and Albert.”
“What do you think about it?” inquired Friedrich.
“Well, it certainly is something to chew on. I suggest we head for a fine warm French bistro I know about just around the corner,” invited Leonard.
“Ok, last to solve the puzzle pays,” smiled Friedrich.
Can you help Friedrich and Leonard work out the ages of Albert, Tina and Lola?