A boy gets on a bus with a fishing rod he just bought at the store. The rod is 5 feet long.
The bus driver says, "I'm sorry, but you can't take that on the bus."
"Why?" the boy asks.
"There's a city ordinance stating that you can't carry packages on the bus that are longer than 4 feet."
"Well, what if I stand it on edge. Then it's five feet high, but not five feet long," the boy says.
"Very funny, fellow. That won't work either. It's still five feet one way, and so you can't take it on the bus."
The boy goes back to the store to return the fishing rod, but the clerk says all sales are final. So he thinks a while and then he finds a way that he can take the fishing rod on the bus legally. He does not alter it in any way. He does not break it, fold it or collapse it. How does he get it on the bus?
NOTE: The correct answer has been guessed. To read it, please see the comments section of this post.
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Posts
It say he can't take on the bus: can he attach it to the outside of the bus?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thought, but no, he can't attach it to the outside. He takes it on the inside of the bus.
ReplyDeleteDoes he put it in something else?
ReplyDeleteYes, he does.
ReplyDeleteDoes he put it in some pants and shirt and buy it a ticket? It's not taller than a full-on adult. - SugarRiver
ReplyDeleteSugar River - Good to hear from you again. I like your answer, but it is not correct. The bus driver doesn't accept it as a person. He says, "It's still a package and you can't take it on the bus."
ReplyDeleteHe buys a box that is 4 ft. X 4 ft. Using the Pythagorean Theorem (a squared plus b squared equals c squared), we know the fishing pole fits corner to corner. (Square root of 32 is 5.66 ft.) If this is the answer, I thinks it's funny you posted a riddle that requires math skills. Then again, you did say you enjoyed geometry! Good one!
ReplyDeleteYes, Cathy, that's right! Good for you. Yes, it is funny that I posted a math riddle. But this one I can handle. You're right; it involved geometry, so that makes it different. You won't see any numbers puzzles here.
ReplyDeleteAhhh.... It involves math. No wonder I didn't get it.
ReplyDeleteaahhh.. a box! lol I thought maybe he disassembled the portions if it was that kind of pole (that wouldn't be breaking or folding it :)
ReplyDeleteSusan in Va
thanks 4 the riddle i needed the answer for bonus in my honors math class lol
ReplyDeleteME TOO Anonymous!!!! i have honors too and the same question
ReplyDeleteI need it for my honors math class too! Wow
ReplyDeleteI find it rather amusing that I'm helping so many people with their honors math class. I actually am NOT a math person, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm another who needed this for my Honor's class...
ReplyDeleteUse a 4'x3' box and the pole will fit diagonally.
ReplyDelete