Fun Math Puzzle

[BarryMead]

(10-30-2015 08:01 AM)Werner Wrote:  If 5 hippos have odd weights, then only 5 pairs have odd weights as well..
(the even weighted hippo combined with any of the other ones)
Don't know if this will lead to a solution as well though ;-)

Cheers, Werner

Thanks for this insightful observation!
I updated the puzzle to include this assumption contingency. The solution comes out the same regardless of weather you initially assume 5 odd and 1 even, or 5 even and 1 odd.

In case you are curious:

If all 6 hippos have odd or even weights, then you get no odd pair weights and 15 even pair weights.
If you have 1 odd and 5 even, you get 5 odd pair weights and 10 even pair weights.
If you have 2 odd and 4 even, you get 8 odd pair weights and 7 even pair weights.
If you have 3 odd and 3 even you get 9 odd pair weights and 6 even pair weights.
If you have 4 odd and 2 even you get 8 odd pair weights and 7 even pair weights again.
If you have 5 odd and 1 even you get 5 odd pair weights and 10 even pair weights again, as you wisely pointed out.