Problem 15 · 2015 Math Kangaroo
Medium
Logic & Word Problems
careful-counting
Some pirates are climbing onto a ship one after the other using a rope. Their leader is exactly in the middle. He is the eighth pirate to climb onto the ship. How many pirates board the ship?
Show answer
Answer: B — 15
Show hints
Hint 1 of 2
The leader is the 8th to climb and is exactly in the middle of the line.
Still stuck? Show hint 2 →
Hint 2 of 2
If 7 pirates are ahead of him, the same number must be behind him.
Show solution
Approach: balance the pirates on each side of the middle one
- The leader is the 8th to climb, so 7 pirates went before him.
- Being exactly in the middle, 7 pirates must also come after him.
- Total = 7 + 1 + 7 = 15 pirates, choice B.
Mark:
· log in to save