103.--PAINTING THE LAMP-POSTS.

Tim Murphy and Pat Donovan were engaged by the local authorities to

paint the lamp-posts in a certain street. Tim, who was an early riser,

arrived first on the job, and had painted three on the south side when

Pat turned up and pointed out that Tim's contract was for the north

side. So Tim started afresh on the north side and Pat continued on the

south. When Pat had finished his side he went across the street and

painted six posts for Tim, and then the job was finished. As there was

an equal number of lamp-posts on each side of the street, the simple

question is: Which man painted the more lamp-posts, and just how many

more?

Amusements in Mathematics · 第 125 / 970 题