This riddle works only in 1999, so don't wait too long. It is not a joke, but a very clever piece of arithmetic.

Can you figure out how it's done? Don't cheat by scrolling down first! It only takes 30 seconds. Work this out as you read. Don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!


1.) First of all, pick the number of days a week that you would like to eat out.

2.) Multiply this number by 2.

3.) Add 5.

4.) Multiply it by 50.

5.) If you have already had your birthday this year add 1749. If you haven't, add 1748.

6.) Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should now have a three-digit number:

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to go out each week).

The second two digits are your age.

Amazing, no?