Problems w/o Solutions

Question

Jack and Jill, together, have 19 paperback books. If jack lost 3 of his books, but Jill doubled her supply, the two of them, together, would have 40 books. How many does each have now? 

Answer 1

I think there is something wrong with the question because if Jack had only 3 books to start with, then Jill would have only 16 (because 3 + 16 = 19), and if Jack lost his 3 books and Jill would have twice as many, which means she would have 32, that is the most they would have because Jack lost the rest of his books.

 

Any other combination yields less than 32, so you may have meant to write a number less than 40 or a number more than 19.

 

If Jack had 4 books for example, then Jill must have had 15 (because 4 + 15 = 19).

 

If Jack lost 3, he has 1 left and if Jill doubled her supply she now has 30, but now they have 31.

 

Similarly, If Jack had 5 books for example, then Jill must have had 14 (because 5 + 14 = 19).

If Jack lost 3, he has 2 left and if Jill doubled her supply she now has 28, but now they have 30, so I think the question is incorrect.