Mixed-category word puzzle (sparrows–pigeons–ducks): Compute the total birds from “all … but six” clues. A shooter says: “There were <em>all sparrows but six</em>, <em>all pigeons but six</em>, and <em>all ducks but six</em> in the bag.” Treat the birds as only three types: sparrows, pigeons, ducks. How many birds are there in total? Choose the correct number.
Verbal Reasoning
Arithmetic Reasoning
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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A9
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B18
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C27
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D36
Answer
Correct Answer: 9
Explanation
Let totals be
- Total = T; counts: S (sparrows), P (pigeons), D (ducks).
Translate statements“All sparrows but six” ⇒ non-sparrows = 6 ⇒ T − S = 6.Similarly, T − P = 6 and T − D = 6.Hence S = P = D = T − 6 (all three equal).
ComputeT = S + P + D = 3(T − 6) ⇒ T = 3T − 18 ⇒ 2T = 18 ⇒ T = 9.
Final Answer9