Second Puzzle | Video

[lookprofessor]

[Luke has been having a rough go the last few weeks, and he's primarily kept to himself. But the loneliness is starting to bother him--without working with Satsuki he's felt rather like there's been nobody to spend time with at all.

As such, he's rectifying this problem the best way he knows how: a puzzle.]

At home, the Professor and I solved lots of puzzles. I know people here don't seem to like them quite as much, but they're still fun to do. So...um, I thought I'd share this one. It's easy to do without any pictures, so I thought it'd be a good one to start with.

"There are ten siblings living together. Let's say that I'm the eighth child. The oldest daughter is the second son's younger sister and the third son's older sister. The fourth son is the second daughter's older brother, and the older daughter's little brother. There are no boys between the third and fourth daughters. So--is the third-youngest child a boy or a girl?"

I've got plenty more puzzles, I keep track of all of them. And I can give you a hint if you need one, too.

[With that, the boy waits. Someone, please answer!]

Comments

[ifbymyhands]

It's a guy, 'cause it's you.

*calls him Shirley*

[youfool]

Ted began to do a mental lineage, starting from the oldest, and arranging the girls and boys. He checks his info, and then reads the beginning and ending sentences, one after the other.

"Clever trick! Eighth child, third youngest. A boy, surely."

[ifbymyhands]

I just heard something like it once, that's all.

[symmetrophile]

Eight is plenty. They should have stopped having offspring with you.

[That is NOT THE POINT KID]

[lookprofessor]

Ah--that's right! It's sort of a trick question, isn't it?

The answer has nothing to do with all of that chatter about who is what! The first two sentences tell the answer.

[But Luke is so happy two people have decided to solve puzzles!]

Would you like another one?

[lookprofessor]

Well...I don't actually have any brothers or sisters. Even though eight is an awful lot of kids. At least it's an even number so they can pair off?

[YOU DISTRACTED HIM KID.]

...that isn't really the point of the puzzle though.

[symmetrophile]

I'm delighted you agree.

[And for such a good reason! Pairs, indeed.]

We had exams at the academy that occasionally made use of word problems. Puzzles are a fine way to develop one's intellectual strength, as practical applications can exercise the body.

[lookprofessor]

I like doing puzzles. They remind me of being home.

[And bitty child is bitty, and he is homesick. And stressed. He looks young and tired, like he hasn't been sleeping. The boy rubs his eyes and tilts his head, tipping his blue hat just slightly askew.]

Did you figure out the answer?

[ifbymyhands]

Sure, why not?

[symmetrophile]

Hm? Ah, not before noticing someone else did.

[And, at that point, there was little purpose to thinking about the solution when the answer had already been revealed.]

Clever, requiring the ability to determine what parts of the problem are relevant. But puzzles won't see that you get sufficient rest.

[Seriously, Luke, you look like hell warmed over.]

[lookprofessor]

Oh...um. I'm sorry. I didn't realize you could hear their answer. I have plenty more, if you'd like.

[Luke is homesick and got caught sneaking around Satsuki's instructions. And the Professor isn't here. So he's a little skittish go on Kid tell him you're the god of death because THAT will go over super well]

...I like working on puzzles. I told you they remind me of being home and it's important to keep working on critical thinking. The Professor says it's key for success, after all.

[symmetrophile]

[Wow why it's not like that's relevant to a conversation about puzzles!!]

And this Professor of yours gives good advice, but you should look after your body as well as your mind.

[A pause, then:]

Do you have any friends here?

[Anyone looking after you?]

[lookprofessor]

I know.

[But the confidence lost with his fallout with Satsuki has been catastrophic for the kid.]

I know lots of people here. I live in my little flat alone...but Miss Belladonna and all of her friends have said they'll help me if I need. And Miss Koishi and Miss Mamizou have been nice...and Miss Maka too. [What can he say? Cute kids tend to make friends with the ladies.] Mr. BJ and Mr. Vyers too.

..there's loads of nice people here.

[But he refuses to live with any of them and even if he was willing, they aren't Professor Layton.]

[lookprofessor]

A woman in a shoe store pays for a 30 pound pair of shoes with a 50 pound note.. The shoe store clerk doesn't have change, and gets some from the shop next door and gives the woman her change.

But a little while later, the shop keeper from next door comes over and says that the 50 pound note was a forgery! The shoe store clerk feels so poorly that he gives the other shop keeper 50 pounds from his own cash register.

The woman wit the fake 50 pound note and the shoes she bought are long gone. How much in pounds has the shoe store clerk lost?

[Meanwhile Luke is so excited to give puzzles. Maybe someone will be able to give him one!]

[ifbymyhands]

Uh... I haven't heard this one. But I think they just lost fifty? Or maybe eighty because the shoes count...

[symmetrophile]

[They've all been there. Though their situations might differ, all of them have likely been through something that has had a disastrous effect on their confidence, whatever that might be.]

Then, at least for the sake of those people, you should take greater care.

[The reaper smiles thinly.]

You wouldn't want to worry Maka.

[lookprofessor]

I'm trying.

[And he is, really. They may be close in age, but from such different backgrounds. Luke just isn't at a point in his life where is can be self sufficient. Thirteen, and all that. He's certainly smart enough, but doesn't have the practical experience.]

I'm really trying. I'm just...

[Well, not doing so good at it, evidently.]

I guess I have to try harder.

[Ok that isn't what this is about though aren't we solving puzzles?!]

Do you know Maka too?

[lookprofessor]

You were right at first! The clerk only lost fifty pounds.

The fifty dollars that he exchanged with the shopkeeper next door doesn't factor in--it essentially breaks even. He wouldn't have ever known he lost money if he hadn't needed to break the fifty pound note.

[Luke smiles.]

I'm Luke, by the way. Thank you for solving puzzles with me!

[ifbymyhands]

Oh, okay. I guess I need to think about this stuff some more.

Hi! I'm Kano. Lot of kids here, huh?

[symmetrophile]

Have you tried setting a schedule for yourself? Personally, having a precise time for seeing to your needs for rest and sustenance can be extremely helpful.

[Says the guy who can subsist on salad and micronaps.]

Of course. Besides being a close friend, Maka is something of a hero where we come from.

[lookprofessor]

[Stop it Kid. He's thirteen--and think of a normal thirteen.]

Setting a schedule isn't really...the problem. I was working with Miss Kiryuin but she's cross with me.

[That's an understatement Luke. She fired you. And you were rather upset about it too.]

Ah--she never said anything about being a hero!

[symmetrophile]

That's because Maka is the sort of girl who sets unreasonably high standards for herself and diminishes her own contributions in comparison with others.

[KID, PLEASE.]

...We're still working on it.

[lookprofessor]

...um.

[WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO SAY TO THAT.]

Well...um. She was very nice to me when I first got here.

[soundmind]

Iiiiiiiignore him, please!

[Hi, apparently she has to monitor all of Kid's conversations with people.]

This is my friend Kid, Luke, I told you about him. He says ridiculous things sometimes, but he means well.

[Ahem.]

We recently lost a roommate, so our doors are open to you whenever you feel like you need company.

[symmetrophile]

[The reaper huffs at the interruption. Please, Kid, it's not like you don't go barging in on people's conversations (or rooms, or anything) all the time.]

Excuse you, that was hardly ridiculous. I was precisely and exactly correct!