December 2015
Problem of the Month

Mr. P in the Prime of his Life

Mr. P was born in December (please don't bring presents, just send money).
On his birthday, Mr. P made the following observation:

For only the second time in my life, both of the following statements are true:

(1) My age is the product of two different prime numbers; and

(2) Next year my age will be the product of three different prime numbers.

How old am I now?

When was the first time that this occured?

When will be the next time that this will happen?

Please send in all six ages and their products of primes.

Solution to the Problem:

Mr. P is 69 years old (3 x 23).

Next year, I will be 70 years old (2 x 5 x 7).

Four years ago, I was 65 years old (5 x 13).

And the next year, I was 66 years old (2 x 3 x 11).

In eight years, I will be 77 years old (7 x 11).

And the following year, I will be 78 years old (2 x 3 x 13).

Correctly solved by:

1. James Alarie	Flint, Michigan
2. Sreeroopa Sankararaman	Singapore, Singapore
3. Madison Bindl	Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming
4. Ailee Bugas	Mountain View High School, Mountain View, Wyoming

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher