A METHODICAL SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 15

A METHODICAL SYSTEM

Here is an innocent little problem which may however be found somewhat puzzling. A gentleman having a small fixed stipend invariably apportioned a certain sum to cover his personal expenses for the year, spending in this way an equal sum on every clay of the twelve: months, so that by the end of the year tho amount «et apart would be wholly exhausted. Let us add ,to this, and assume that if he spent aothing at all on Sundays, and that by spending an equal sum on every other day of the week, the amount that he- allowed himself would be all jaid away (with the exception of one penny)" by the last day. Can the reader find from this what sum the gentleman expended annually ,in this way, the amount being the small est one possible under these two con ditions? The fact should not be lost sight of that leap-years also vary as to the number of Sundays they "contain, and .is the problem calls for the minimum sum expended it is obvious that the most favourable year must be selected. It may be added that the yearns expenditure was a sum convertible into an even.number of pence, the daily outgoings being payable also in that way, and both methods of spending apply to the same total sum.