
Sam and Priya are two very talented mathematicians.
Their friend Anna approaches them and says: “I have chosen two whole numbers, labeled A and B. Note that A is greater than 1 and B is greater than A. The sum of these numbers does not exceed 100.”
The others nod, so she continues: “In a moment, I will inform Sam of only the sum (A+B), and I will inform Priya of only the product (A×B). These announcements remain private!”
She does so, and the following conversation then takes place:
Priya says, “I don't know the values of A and B.”
Sam responds, “I already knew that.”
“In that case, I do know what their values are,” says Priya.
“Really?”, Sam ponders. “Then so do I.”
Now you too, can know what numbers A and B are.
Solution
That seems rather ridiculous. We're hardly being told anything at all. And yet, using some advanced math and clever reasoning, the answer can be deduced. Here's a tip: the puzzle takes the concept of this earlier one and increases it difficulty a trillion-fold. As for explaining the solution... uhm... that goes behind the scope of this blog. Okay, honestly: it's well out of my league.
Luckily, the solution (A = 4 and B = 13, click to see) is explained here and also here.
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