Math Is Fun Forum

yetao

Guest

solution to a relative puzzle

This is yetao from china. i like logical riddle.  i offten come to the website http://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles to  do the riddle .      i come across the below puzzle . but i do not understand  why the men in the picture is his son as the solution posted. i think the men in the picture should be himself. can some one help me ? many thanks
A man on a park bench is looking at a small portrait. You ask him, "Who is that in the picture?"

The man says, "Brothers and sisters, I have none, but that man's father, is my father's son."

Can you tell what person is in the picture?

  The solution here is   the picture  is of his son

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,643

Re: solution to a relative puzzle

hi yetao

Welcome to the forum.  I have tried to simplify what the man says:

"Brothers and sisters, I have none, but that man's father, is my father's son."

My father's son = the man (he has no brothers to complicate this.)  So the statement becomes:

"That man's father is me."

Hope that helps. 

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

math9maniac

Member

From: Tema

Registered: 2015-03-30

Posts: 443

Re: solution to a relative puzzle

Wow. Never thought of it that way. If asked this anywhere, I'd agree with yetao.

Does this mean anyone with the other answer is wrong?

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Only a friend tells you your face is dirty.

math9maniac

Member

From: Tema

Registered: 2015-03-30

Posts: 443

Re: solution to a relative puzzle

You know what Bob, upon second thought I agree with you. This is one of those things they call paradox,
right?

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Only a friend tells you your face is dirty.

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,643

Re: solution to a relative puzzle

hi math9maniac

I wouldn't say it's a paradox; just a confusing statement.

Here is a paradoxical statement:

This statement is FALSE.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob