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bag of money

Maths Week: Monday's puzzle of the day

We’re setting you a little brainteaser each day this week to highlight a drive to improve the country’s numeracy skills.

ENGAGE THOSE BRAINS, folks: we have a teasing question for you.

Each afternoon this week, we’ll be setting you a (not too) tough riddle to get the cogs whirring and test your mathematical mettle.

If this prospect fills you with either a. joy, or b. dread, the mathsweek.ie site is worth a look – with events for maths fans and for those who might feel the need to brush up on their numeracy skills. The events are running from now until Sunday.

Monday’s puzzle:

A cash collection was made around a room with everyone putting a note into a bag. People put in either a €20, a €10 or a €5 note.

I asked the collector how much was in the collection and he told me that if I pulled out a note at random that there would be a 1 in 12 chance of getting a €20 note. He said there would be a 1 in 4 chance of getting a €10 note and a 2 in 3 chance of getting a €5.

I protested that I needed more information. He conceded that four people had put in €20 notes and he refused to tell me any more.

Can you figure out how much money was in the bag?


Poll Results:

€360 (3455)
€280 (835)
€325 (322)
€255 (292)

All answers will be revealed on Friday afternoon. You’ll see what other readers are thinking when you make your choice above and the pie chart shows the most popular option. (We’re not saying that the most popular will be the right one!)

These handy tips will help develop your child’s maths skills (without them knowing it)>

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    Mute Dissasociated Follower
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    Feb 1st 2024, 7:08 PM

    Patroness Saint and Godess of healing amongst other things. She heralds the new Sun and new growth. We have always been a blessed land. Thank you Brigid.

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    Mute Mike
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    Feb 1st 2024, 8:21 PM

    What does “The Irish For” mean? Genuine question, anyone?

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    Mute Athena
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    Feb 2nd 2024, 9:03 AM

    @Mike: Could it be that it should read “Four”, relating to the paragraph where three other ‘pagan’ deities are listed ?

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    Feb 2nd 2024, 8:11 AM

    Brigid, born in Louth, none of this Kildare messin.

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    Mute William Hannahs
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    Feb 2nd 2024, 1:24 PM

    @Mike To me, “The Irish For” means an interesting article on linguistics. O’Séaghdha’s column is one of my favorites and always makes my day.

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Feb 2nd 2024, 7:28 AM

    Ah sure isn’t it great for the girls ..

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    Feb 2nd 2024, 2:58 AM

    I always thought Brigid never existed. That she was a pagan goddess taken over by the early Irish Church. What scholarship is the author referring to. Citations would be welcome.

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    Mute Fintan Neelan
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    Feb 2nd 2024, 1:46 AM

    Three people lost and the priest calls it a cute corner. Honestly?

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