Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sony Pictures

MATHS WEEK: See how you do with Tuesday's pirate puzzle

Can you figure this one out?

MATHS WEEK IS well underway, with the country celebrating all the great things about algebra, trigonometry, probability and calculus.

Each morning, we’ve been setting you a puzzle to test your mathematical mettle. It’s all part of the drive to improve Ireland’s numeracy skills – and remember it’s never too late.

(If numbers absolutely terrify you, take a trip to the website where you’ll find more information and help).

Let’s get to Tuesday’s puzzle: 

Sharing has been, in one way or another, the basis of much of the world’s conflicts, whether big or small. Mathematics can be used to analyse sharing and also to develop ‘fair’ systems of sharing.

Captain Blackbeard was trying to calm his greedy crew. “Men,” he said. “We’ve a mighty fine haul today: a pretty little chest of doubloons.”

The men were straining and pushing to get at the coins.

We’ll divide them using our own pirate’s code. Those who died in the raid get nothing. The loot will be divided as follows: the most senior man will get 10 coins and one tenth of the remainder, the next man will get 9 coins and one-ninth of the remainder and so on down the line.

Thus they began with Blackbeard himself the first looked after. When the third man was paid the fourth declared, “There’s only 49 doubloons left to do us. That’s only seven each!”

Questions:

1. How many pirates are there?

2. How many coins were there to start with?

3. How much did the last pirate get?

Check back tomorrow, same time of 11.15am, for the answers and for Wednesday’s puzzle. 

Click here for the answer to Monday’s puzzle.

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

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
15 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robbie Kelly
    Favourite Robbie Kelly
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 6:16 PM

    The preferred vehicle when stealing a trailer is the hiace van.

    230
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Conroy
    Favourite David Conroy
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 7:38 PM

    White Transits

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute traveling mafia
    Favourite traveling mafia
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 9:27 PM

    Yes it was us .
    No you can’t have them back

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Cunningham
    Favourite Charles Cunningham
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 8:08 PM

    After 3 separate thefts I’ve now got 5 security dogs, unfortunately no one has tried to steal anything since, keep hoping they will as would love a bit of sport some night.

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Onlyblowingsmoke
    Favourite Onlyblowingsmoke
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 6:32 PM

    Is it just me or is any one else disappointed there were no pictures of trailers

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jack frost
    Favourite jack frost
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 7:17 PM

    Im lost there boss

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Friary
    Favourite Denise Friary
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 5:52 PM

    Sure they can allways put in for another grant.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denzil
    Favourite Denzil
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 5:58 PM

    Your a clown Denise

    279
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Flash Gordon
    Favourite Flash Gordon
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 5:59 PM

    Female tool !

    169
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Farmerbogger
    Favourite Farmerbogger
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 8:28 PM

    Ha, the boy troll slagging the girl troll, oh the irony! Anyway, down with farm theft.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Dexter
    Favourite Jack Dexter
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 9:29 PM

    And your not to bad at trolling yourself

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Gunn
    Favourite Ben Gunn
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 5:53 PM

    Do you not mean the amount of proerty stolen FROM farms?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trudy Taaffe
    Favourite Trudy Taaffe
    Report
    Sep 23rd 2014, 10:14 PM

    I can’t find my clothes recycling bin if anybody knows where it is?

    8
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds