October 2019
Problem of the Month

How Old is the Boss?
by Sam Loyd

"I spent one sixth of my years in the old country as a boy," remarked the Boss, "one twelfth in the liquor business in New York and one seventh and five years in politics and matrimony, which takes me to the time that Jimmy was born."

"Jimmy was elected alderman four years ago when he was half my present age."

How old is the Boss?
You must show your work on this problem (let x = current age of the Boss).

Solution to the Problem:

The Boss is 84 years old.

Many thanks to Ivy Joseph for correcting my answer to the original problem.

Originally, I had changed Sam Lloyd's wording because I thought it was in error.   But I was the one who had solved it incorrectly and Ivy Joseph found my error.   The problem above is the correct wording from Sam Lloyd and the solution below reflects the correct answer to that problem.

Let x = current age of the Boss
Let y = current age of Jimmy

Then x - 4 = age of the Boss four years ago
y - 4 = age of Jimmy four years ago

Now we can set up two equations from the statements that the Boss made.

Correctly solved by:

1. Ivy Joseph	Pune, Maharashtra, India
2. Leah Snyder	Nashville, Tennessee
3. Soonho You	JeonJu, South Korea
4. Drew Harris	Delta High School, Delta, Colorado
5. Skyler Kraai	Delta High School, Delta, Colorado
6. Brijesh Dave	Mumbai City, Maharashtra, India

Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher