Interview Questions And Answers 
-
Mike has $20 more than Todd. How much does each have given that combined they have $21 between them. You can’t use fractions in the answer.(Hint: This is a trick question, pay close attention to the condition)
18,925 Views |
(27 votes, avg: 3.07)
Loading ...
Answers »
Our Sponsors
Our Sponsors
Most people would probably answer that Mike has $21 and Todd has $1. However, that would add up to 22.
The correct answer is that Mike has $20.50 and Todd has $.50.
You can use algebra to figure this one out.
Mike has $20, Todd initially has $21. Todd keeps all his money on the table between them. Hence, now Todd has nothing, Mike has $20 more than Todd, and they have $21 between them i.e on the table between them.
Well said arpan
Mike has $20. Todd has $1.
Together they have $21. Mike has $20 more than Todd’s $1.
M: Mike monay
T: Todd money
M - T = 20
M + T = 21
==> M=20.5, T=0.5
I agree that the 20.50 and .50 makes the most since. But it clearly states that you cannot use fractions. I find it hard to believe that because we are using decimals its okay.
and by since i mean sense.
- let Tom have x dollars.
Therefore Mike has 20 + x.
let y be the combined difference
y = ( Tom + Mike ) - Tom
y = ( (20+x) + (x) ) - x
y = 20+2x -x
y = 20 + x
21 = 20 + x
x = 1
Therefore Tom has $1
Mike Has $21
Combined they have $22
Mike has 2050 cents and Todd has 50 cents. No fractions or decimals
Just changing the units sometimes helps. This is similar to how using radians instead of degrees for measuring angles, sometimes makes calculations easier. In this case, it is just a trick to get around the “no fractions” condition.
If arpan’s (2) answer is correct then I can interpret the question slightly differently and come up with a different answer.
Todd has $1 in his pocket and Mike has $21 which is on the table between them.
So I believe Tik’s (11) makes most sense.
Look at the condition carefully, “Mike has $20 more than Todd. How much does each have given that combined they have $21 between them.” , so if they combine both, each of them has $21 when divided between them so the answer is Todd has 11 and and the other has 31.
So between them they will have $21(total 42) when combined
Mike has $21 and Todd has nothing. Mike has $20 more than Todd.
“Mike has $20 more than Todd. How much does each have given that combined they have $21 between them. You can’t use fractions in the answer.”
Let x = Todd. That would mean Mike has x + 20. So x + x + 20 = 21, which means 2x = 1, and x = .5
Mike has $20.50 and Todd has $0.50
NO FRACTIONS. DECIMALS ARE FRACTIONS….SEPARATIONS OF A WHOLE…
S - WAS RIGHT
THE TWO HAVE $21 “BETWEEN THEM”, AS IN BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY BOTH HAVE $21 TO SPEND
21 X 2 = 42
31 + 11= 42
MIKE HAS $31, TODD HAS $11
@JNR BSHP:
“Between the two of them” means “altogether”.
If Bob has $2 and Fred has $3, then between them they have $5.
Therefore, if Mike has $31 and Todd has $11, then between them they have $42, not $21.
…and fractions aren’t decimals. Decimals and fractions are two different ways of displaying separations of a whole. It only asked for no fractions. It didn’t mention decimals.
initially Mike had $21 and Todd had 0$. Then Mike give $1 to Todd. So Todd has $1 and Mike still has $21 (20$ +$1 that Todd owe to him). So $21 -$1 = $20
Mike has $21
Todd has $0
Since Mike has $21 more than Todd, Mike also has $20 more than Todd.
As some have pointed out it’s a matter of perspective. Given the condition for no fractions and the odd number of the combined total one could read it as implying Mike simply has 20 times more than Todd. In which case Todd has 1 and Mike has 20, combined they have 21 between them.
Rather than the strict rationale that Mike must have whatever Todd has plus 20, which doesn’t fit the conditions.
Leave an Answer/Comment