The SimCity navy has a rigorous training program

[Greg Bernhardt]

The SimCity navy has a rigorous training program. In order to graduate from the naval academy, cadets must enter a pool and fight sharks. Today, a group of cadets was tested. Each cadet put on his mask, snorkel, and two flippers; and armed himself with a knife. Then the cadets jumped into the pool. The sharks were then released from their pens. After 10 minutes of gruelling hand-to-fin combat, all of the sharks were killed. Miraculously, none of the cadets were killed. Exiting the pool, the cadets began to haul the shark bodies out of the water. The dead sharks were soon lying in a row. One of the cadets noted that during the fight, there were 4 times as many cadets in the water as there were sharks. A second cadet then stated that the number of legs they now had was equal to the square of the number of sharks. A third said that the number of cadet legs was 14 more than the total number of cadet and shark heads. How many sharks were killed?

 

[hypnagogue]

One of the cadets noted that during the fight, there were 4 times as many cadets in the water as there were sharks.

c = 4s

A second cadet then stated that the number of legs they now had was equal to the square of the number of sharks.

L = s^2

A third said that the number of cadet legs was 14 more than the total number of cadet and shark heads. How many sharks were killed?

L = 14 + c + s

By substitution,

s^2 = 14 + 4s + s

Rearranging,

s^2 - 5s - 14 = 0

(s-7) (s+2) = 0

Rejecting the negative solution, s = 7.

 

[Njorl]

28 cadets, though with only 49 legs amongst them.

Njorl

 

[Njorl]

D'oh!

Not only was I not quick enough, I answered with the wrong 2 quantities.

Njorl

 

[Chen]

Seven?

Too late.

 

[Monique]

looks like someone knew the answer without reading the question.. hmmhm?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

hypnagogue with the point!