To emulate and surpass the famous emperor Qin\u2019s necropolis achievement, emperor Wu Shu, who preferred to be known as \u201cHe Who Cannot Be Counted,\u201d decided that after the end of his life he wanted to be buried at the head of an army of 10,440 terracotta soldiers standing at attention in a triangular array of rows.<\/p>\n
\u201cChow Sao, I want to know the cumulative Grand Sum of the number of ways of arranging soldiers in each respective row,\u201d said emperor Wu Shu to his Feng Shui advisor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Grand Sum must be perfectly divisible by 12, the number of heavenly animals in the Shengxiao zodiac,\u201d added emperor Wu Shu.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, my glorious emperor,\u201d moaned Chow Sao, \u201cyour wish is my command,\u201d starting to genuflect reversing himself out of the emperor\u2019s lush palace quarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the Grand Sum is not perfectly divisible by 12, I want you to tell me exactly which rows of soldiers must be removed to obtain a zero remainder,\u201d commanded emperor Wu Shu.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you wish, my illustrious emperor,\u201d said Chow Sao, shuffling more rapidly to increase his reverse velocity as he saw empress Soo Lao enter the palace room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis grand sum must be perfectly divisible by 12. Empress Soo Lao has informed me that I shall suffer great misfortune in the heaven life unless this is so,\u201d emphasized emperor Wu Shu, waving his scepter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is so, Chow Sao,\u201d said empress Soo Lao sternly, \u201cany mistakes, and I will have sorceress Ba Fa turn you into stone and place you as the first soldier in the first row.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gods forbid,\u201d said Chow Sao accelerating his backward velocity at a phenomenal rate and absconding from the emperor\u2019s quarters in a great hurry to begin his calculating task.<\/p>\n
Would you say that this Grand Sum was divisible by 12, and if not, would any rows of soldiers have to be removed from the triangular array of soldiers envisioned<\/em>?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intriguing Puzzles Book 1, containing 50 fascinating puzzles selected from Ken’s Blog<\/a>, is now available in the e-book formats mobi and epub.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>