🦘 Math Kangaroo Grade All Felix 1-2 Ecolier 3-4 Benjamin 5-6 Kadett 7-8 Junior 9-10 Student 11-12 ⇄ switch contest
2018 Math Kangaroo

Problem 1

Problem 1 · 2018 Math Kangaroo Medium
Logic & Word Problems casework

Every child in my family has at least two brothers and at least one sister. What is the minimum number of children in my family?

Show answer
Answer: C — 5
Show hints
Hint 1 of 2
Count the boys first, then ask what each girl still needs.
Still stuck? Show hint 2 →
Hint 2 of 2
A boy needs two other boys (so at least three boys); a girl needs one other girl (so at least two girls).
Show solution
Approach: set the minimum each gender forces
  1. Each child has at least 2 brothers, so there must be at least 3 boys (every boy needs two other boys).
  2. Each child has at least 1 sister, so there must be at least 2 girls (every girl needs one other girl).
  3. Three boys and two girls satisfies both conditions for everyone.
  4. So the minimum is 5 children.
Mark: · log in to save