Take a long narrow strip of paper, and draw a line with pen or pencil
along the whole length of its centre. Turn one of the ends round so
as to give it a twist, and then gum the ends together. Now take a
pair of scissors and cut the circle of paper round along the line,
and you will have two circles. This is a puzzle within a puzzle,
and has never been satisfactorily explained either by scientist or
mathematician.
How to Read a Person’s Character.
Tell a friend to put down in figures the year in which he was born;
to this add 4, then his age at last birthday provided it has not come
in the present year (if it has, then his age last year); multiply
this sum by 1000, and subtract 687,423. (This number is for 1899;
it increases 1000 for each succeeding year.) To the remainder place
corresponding letters of the alphabet. The result will be the popular
name by which your friend is known.
Example: A person was born in 1860, and is now 38 years of age.
1860
4
----
1864
38 Age
----
1902
1000
--------
1902000
687423
--------------
1,2,1,4,5,7,7
a,b,a,d,e,g,g (“A bad egg.”)
122. There are 3 numbers in continued proportion--the middle number
is 60, and the sum of the others is 125. Find the numbers.
123. A lends B a certain sum at the same time he insures B’s life for
£737 12s. 6d., paying annual premiums of £20; at the end of three
years and just before the fourth premium is to be paid, B dies,
having never repaid anything. What sum must A have lent B in order
that he may have just enough to recoup himself, together with 5 per
cent. compound interest on the sum lent and on the premiums?
124. I met three Dutchmen--Hendrick, Claas, and Cornelius--with their
wives--Gertruig, Catrün, and Anna; in answer to a question they told
me they had been to market to buy pigs, and had spent between them
£224 11s; Hendrick bought 23 pigs more than Catrün, and Class bought
11 more than Gertruig, each man laid out 3 guineas more than his
wife. Now find out each couple--man and wife.