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New Scientist puzzle #62: Burger run

How many shortest routes will pass through exactly one Big Burger restaurant? Plus the solution to puzzle #61. Set by David Bodycombe

3 June 2020

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#62 Burger run

Three friends agree to drive from A to B via the shortest road route possible (driving down or right at all times). They are hungry, so also want to drive through a Big Burger restaurant, marked in red. They are arguing about how many shortest routes will pass through exactly one Big Burger. Xenia: “I reckon there are 10.” Yolanda: “I’d say more like 20.” Zara: “No you’re both wrong, I bet there’s more than 50.” Who is right, or closest to right?

Answer next week

 

61 Triple Jump

Solution

Let us call the mother’s age…

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