Example problem

(from Brookshear)

Alice wants to know the ages of Bob's three children. Bob tells Alice that the product of the children's ages is 36. This is not enough information, so Alice asks for another clue. Bob tells Alice the sum of the children's ages. Again, this is not enough information. Bob tells Alice that the oldest child plays the piano. After hearing this clue, Alice correctly identifies the ages of the three children.

How old are they?


[CSC 104 course outline]