Problem of the Month, January/February 2003

A, B, C

Two integers, x and y, are chosen so that 2 ≤ x ≤ y ≤ 50

A is given x*y
B is given x+y
C is given nothing

The goal is to determine what x and y are.

A: I don't know what x and y are.
B: I know you didn't know. I don't know either.
A: Now I know.
B: Now I know.
C: Now I know.

What were x and y?

The first person to correctly answer this question will win a Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut. Further solutions will win the entrant a free trip to lovely Graham Hall.

Rules for entry: All entrants must be undergraduates attending NIU. Decisions of the judges regarding prizes are final. All entries must be recieved before 28 February 2003.

Send entries to lharris4@niu.edu or by NIU or US Mail to:

NIU Math Club
c/o Lucas Harris
320 Watson Hall
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL, 60115

Disclaimer: The author of this web page makes no claims of knowing the answer. Really, I don't know.

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