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Power crazy

My godson is 5 years old. When you work out his age raised to a power equal to itself you get 55 = 3125, which ends with his age.

Similarly, if you take my age in years and raise it to a power equal to itself then the answer ends with my age. And if you reverse the two different digits of my age and work out my “reverse age” raised to a power equal to itself then the answer ends with my reverse age.

I was also surprised to find that, if you raise my reverse age to a power equal to my age then the answer also ends with my reverse age.

Clearly I do not expect you to work out any of these powers, as they all consist of over 100 digits! However, you should still be able to answer the question: how old am I?

WIN £15 will be awarded to the sender of the first correct answer opened on Wednesday 9 February. The Editor’s decision is final. Please send entries to Enigma 1628, New Scientist, Lacon House, 84 Theobald’s Road, London WC1X 8NS, or to enigma@newscientist.com (please include your postal address).

Answer to 1622 Chances for a business meeting: chances are 5 in 18

The winner Richard Kennaway of New Costessey, Norfolk, UK

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