Friday Riddle / Teaser

nudgie
nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
A very bright and sunny day
The priest did to the verger say:
"Last Monday met I strangers three
None of which were known to thee.
I ask'd them of their age combin'd
Which amounted twice to thine!
A riddle now will I give thee:
Tell me what their ages be!"

So the verger ask'd the priest:
"Give to me a clue at least!"
"Keep thy mind and ears awake,
And see what thou of this can make.
Their ages multiplied make plenty,
Fifty and ten dozens twenty."

The verger had a sleepless night
To try to get their ages right.
"I almost found the answer right.
Please shed on it a little light."
"A little clue I give to thee,
I'm older than all strangers three."
After but a little while
The verger answered with a smile:
"Inside my head has rung a bell.
Now I know the answer well!"

Now, the question is:
How old is the priest?

Comments

  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #2
    One of the strangers is 5 years old, and another is 10.

    Greg
  • 4law
    4law Member Posts: 110
    #3
    I don't believe there is enough information to guess the priest's age.
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #4
    4law said:

    I don't believe there is enough information to guess the priest's age.

    There is enough information. Note that the verger does know his own age (of course), but before the priest's last clue, this is not enough for the verger to figure out the strangers' ages. Why can't the verger figure that out?

    The third stranger's age is 49.

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