[Claire ex-ax]

The following was sent to me...

Is it possible to calculate your age by how often you enjoy eating out? Get ready for a mathematical mind-bender– and don't cheat by scrolling down first!

This takes less than a minute. Work it out as you read, either in your head or on a piece of paper. But be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!

First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to go out to eat (more than once but less than 10 times)

Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

Add 5

Multiply it by 50

If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758 ... If you haven't, add 1757.

Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should now have a three digit number. The first digit of this was your original number, (i.e., how many times you want to go out to restaurants in a week).

The next two numbers are:

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!)

This is the only year (2008) the calculation will ever work, so you have less than nine months to spread this around.

[PDLM]

But it will work perfectly well next year if you change the 1758 / 1757 to 1759/1758...

This is just primary school arithmetic isn't it?

[kombuchakid]

Actually the last line is incorrect as next year just add one to the convoluted formula and Bob's your uncle