At first glance, determining the number of pages torn from a book seems like a simple task. However, it’s a puzzle that requires a deeper understanding of the book printing process. Books aren’t printed one page at a time; instead, they’re printed on large sheets that contain multiple pages. This arrangement is crucial to solving the mystery of the torn pages.
When a book is printed, each sheet typically holds four pages: two on the front and two on the back. For example, the front of a sheet might have pages 1 and 2, while the back would have pages 3 and 4. This means that if you tear out one sheet, you’re not just removing two consecutive pages, but four pages in total.
Let’s apply this logic to a specific problem. Suppose pages 7 and 8, 100 and 101, and 222 and 223 are missing from a book. To solve this puzzle, we need to consider each set of missing pages individually. When pages 7 and 8 are torn out, the back side of the sheet, which contains pages 5 and 6, is also removed. Therefore, four pages are missing: 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Similarly, when pages 100 and 101 are torn out, the pages on the other side of the sheet, pages 99 and 102, are also removed. This means that four more pages are gone: 99, 100, 101, and 102. Finally, when pages 222 and 223 are torn out, the back side of the sheet, which contains pages 221 and 224, is also removed. Therefore, four more pages are missing: 221, 222, 223, and 224.
By applying this logic and understanding how books are printed, we can easily determine the number of pages torn from a book. It’s a clever puzzle that requires a bit of math and logic, but with practice, you’ll become a master at solving it.
