Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/17 - The Missing Penny

by : $17$

 * The Missing Penny


 * Here is an ancient puzzle that has always perplexed some people.


 * Two market women were selling their apples, one at three a penny and the other at two a penny.
 * One day they were both called away when each had thirty apples unsold:
 * these they handed to a friend to sell at five for twopence.
 * Now it will be seen that if they had sold their apples separately they would have fetched $2 \shillings 1 \oldpence$,
 * but when they were sold together they fetched only $2 \shillings$


 * Can you explain this little mystery?