Math Riddles

Answer: They both weigh a ton.

Answer: If they are round the manhole covers cannot slip into the hole if the hole is slightly smaller than the cover, but if they are square the hole would have to be about 50 percent of the area of the cover to stop the cover from falling into the hole (diagonally).

Answer: 7.5 degrees.

The minute hand is pointing directly at the '3'. The hour hand is 1/4 of the way between the '3' and '4'. Since there are 12 numbers the angle between each number is 30 degrees. So the angle between the hands are 30 degrees * 1/4 = 7.5 degrees.

Answer: 43.

After 6 all numbers divisible by 3 can be ordered (because they can all be expressed as a sum of 6's and 9's). After 26, all numbers divisible by three when subtracted by 20 can be obtained. After 46, all numbers divisible by three when subtracted by 40 can be obtained. After 46, all numbers fit into one of these 3 categories, so all numbers can be obtained. 43 is the last number that doesn't fall into one of these categories (44 = 20 + 6 * 4, 45 = 6 * 6 + 9).

Answer: The feathers. A pound of feathers is measured in avoirdupois weight, in which one pound equals 16 ounces. Precious metals are measured in troy weight, in which one pound equals 12 ounces.

However, the ounces are not measured in the same way. In avoirdupois weight, one ounce = 437.5 grains. In troy weight, one ounce = 480 grains.

So, one pound of feathers weighs (16)x(437.5 grains) = 7,000 grains. One pound of gold weighs (12)x(480 grains) = 5,760 grains.