THE SANTA PROBLEM
Santa is going door to door conducting a survey to find out the ages of
children in a Summerland neighborhood. Here is a dialogue with him
and one of the residents. See if you too can determine the neighbor’s
house number and the ages of the kids.
Santa: (Knock, knock) Ho Ho Ho
Ms. Swells: Oh crap, what is it now? (She opens the door) What do you
want?
Santa: Merry Christmas to you too. How old are your children?
Ms. Swells: I have 3 kids and the product of their ages is 36.
Santa: OK you want to play, eh. I will need some more info.
Ms. Swells: The sum of their ages is the same as the next door
neighbor’s house number.
Santa: (Steps back and looks at the house number next door) I still do
not know Ms. Swells and you are about to go on my Naughty List.
Ms. Swells: You crazy old dog. All right, my one oldest child wants a new
dishwasher for Christmas.
Santa: Oh yeah, right. At least now I know the ages of your kids.