The Proof is in the Pudding Brainteaser
I was first introduced to the proof is in the pudding brainteaser in a book I was reading. I read the puzzle, puzzled over it for a few minutes, considered looking up the answer in the back of the book, and decided against it.
A few weeks ago, Fawn mentioned that this puzzle was one of her favorites on Twitter. I commented saying that I had never been able to figure it out. She recommended that I give it another try. I did, and this time I was able to figure it out!
Here’s how the puzzle goes according to The Math Forum:
During a recent census, a man told the census taker that he had three children. When asked their ages, he replied, “The product of their ages is 72. The sum of their ages is the same as my house number.”
The census taker ran to the door and looked at the house number. “I still can’t tell,” she complained. The man replied, “Oh that’s right, I forgot to tell you that the oldest one likes chocolate pudding.”
The census taker promptly wrote down the ages of the 3 children. How old are they?
This puzzle is also known as the Census Taker Puzzle.
I used to think this puzzle was impossible, but I promise it’s not. I’m not going to link to a solution because I think you should try to figure it out for yourself! Some research online says that the original riddle should be attributed to George Polya.
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
