Reversed Checks
Five friends went to the bank to cash their weekly paychecks. Unfortunately, the
bank teller was quite confused that day and swapped the dollars and cents on
everyone's check. The friends all stopped at the corner store and made a
purchase before noticing the mistakes.
- Andy bought a 5 cent piece of gum and then found he had exactly twice as much
as his original check.
- Bill bought a 5 cent piece of gum and then found he had exactly half as much
as his original check.
- Carol bought an 11 cent piece of taffy and then found she had exactly twice as much
as her original check.
- Doris bought an 11 cent piece of taffy and then found she had exactly half as much
as her original check.
- Emily bought a 75 cent comic book and then found she had an even number of dollars
(no coins.)
After sharing their discoveries, the five friends realized that as a group, they had
neither lost nor gained any money from the teller's errors. What was the original amount on each check?
Source: Based on prior puzzle experience, reminded by
Dan's Problem of the
Week
#212.
Solution
Mail to Ken