15 March 2008

Something for the weekend


Courtesy of Professor Layton:


1) A glass jar holds a single germ. After one minute, the germ slits into two germs. One minute after that, the two germs each split again, forming a total of four germs. Continuing at this rate, a single germ can multiply to fill a whole jar in exactly one hour. Knowing this, how long in minutes would it take to fill the jar if you had started with two germs?



2) Mice are famous for their ability to multiply at breakneck speeds. The type of mouse we have here gives birth once a month, birthing 12 babies each time. Baby mice mature and can give birth two months after they are born. You picked up one of these darling baby mice at the pet shop and brought it home the day after it was born. In 10 months from now, how many mice will you have?



3) Three identical-looking umbrellas are sitting upright in a stand. Assuming the owners don't check their umbrella's labels, what percentage chance is there that only two people will walk off with their own umbrella?

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