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Brain Teaser – How long did Christopher live?

Christopher’s youth lasted 1/6 of his life. He had his first beard in the next 1/12 of his life. At the end of the following 1/7 of his life Christopher got married. Five years from then his son was born. His son lived exactly 1/2 of Christopher’s life. Christopher died 4 years after the death of his son. How long did Christopher live?

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Posted by Ken.Kabaki on Jun 28th, 2009 and filed under Discussions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

8 Responses for “Brain Teaser – How long did Christopher live?”

  1. Mike Sprayberry says:
    July 6, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    Yeah, what they said! Pretty straightforward linear equation.

    Reply
  2. Allan Ropski says:
    July 3, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    84 Years. Son’s life is then 42 years.

    After 1/6 (14 years) + 1/12(7 years) + 1/7(12 years) = 33 Years old, gets married.

    5 Years later son is born – 38 Years.

    Plus son’s like; 38+42 = 80 Years.

    4 Years later Christopher dies at 84 years old.

    Reply
    • Govinda Ram KC says:
      July 3, 2009 at 4:48 pm

      Allan is right. Christopher’s life is 84 years. His son’s life is 42 years, as given in the question. The following mathematical explanation justifies the answer:
      Suppose, life of Christopher = L,
      Life of son = S.
      S= L/2 ………………..eq 1
      1/6 L (youth) + 1/12 L (beard appearance) + 1/7 L (marriage) + 5 yrs (son’s birth) + S (life of son) + 4 yrs (Christopher’s death) = L (Christopher’s life)
      1/6 L + 1/12 L +1/7 L + 5 + S + 4 = L ……………eq 2
      By solving these 2 simple equations, we get L = 84 and S = 42.
      Hence, Christopher’s life is 84 years.

      Reply
  3. KevinM in Woodbridge says:
    July 3, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Christopher was 84 when he died.

    14 yrs of youth (1/6 of 84)
    7 yrs to grow beard (1/2 of 84)
    12 yrs before marriage (1/7 of 84)
    5 yrs before child is born
    42 yrs child lives (1/2 of 84)
    4 yrs to death.

    1/6x + 1/12x + 1/7x + 1/2x + (4 + 5) = x (life span)

    Of course, as a father, I never like to see parents outlive the children. Make it fish next time. ;)

    Reply
  4. Tim says:
    June 30, 2009 at 9:34 am

    not sure, but quickly…

    1/6x + 1/12x + 1/7x + 5 + 1/2x + 4 = x
    x = 84, son = 42?

    Reply
  5. Robert L Queathem says:
    June 29, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    84 years … Life = youth (L/6) + beard (L/12) + single (L/7) + birth (5) + son’s life (L/2) + after son’s death (4) … L = [(14 + 7 + 12 + 42) / 84] x Life +9 … 9 = [(14 + 7 + 12 + 42 - 84) / 84] x Life … 9 = 9/84 Life … Life = 84

    Reply

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