Reader’s Question:
I have a question about episode 5 of the anime “The Recent Detective.” There was a quiz in which it said, “The ages of A, B, and C multiplied together equal 30 years. What is B’s age? (A has a drink).” The answer was 1 year old. Maki said
it was easy, but I, like Mashiro, have no idea how to figure out the equations. Can someone please explain how to calculate this?

Decoding the Riddle: The Ages of A, B, and C in “The Recent Detective”

Every once in a while, an anime throws a puzzle our way that makes us scratch our heads in confusion. Episode 5 of “The Recent Detective” was one of those moments for many viewers, including yours truly. So, let’s take a moment to unravel that brain-teaser regarding the ages of characters A, B, and C!

Setting the Scene

First off, if you’re unfamiliar with the episode, let me set the scene. Our favorite detective characters face a quiz where they need to figure out the ages of three individuals whose ages multiply to a total of 30 years. The twist? One of them is holding a drink, which implies they’re definitely over the legal drinking age of 20. Can you feel the gears in your brain starting to turn? Now, the question arises: How do we determine B’s age? If you found yourself as baffled as I was, don’t worry—I’m here to break it down for you.

Breaking Down the Math

Let’s tackle this step by step. The ages of A, B, and C multiplied together equal 30. The possible combinations of integers that can result in 30 are: – 1, 1, 30 – 1, 2, 15 – 1, 3, 10 – 1, 5, 6 – 2, 3, 5 But remember, we have that crucial clue: one of them has to be over 20 because they’re drinking. So, if we start considering the combinations, we can dismiss quite a few: – The combination of (1, 1, 30) is ruled out since 30 is the only age over 20, leaving B and C both at 1. Sure, that’s mathematically sound, but the imagery of two 1-year-olds sharing a toast is a bit hard to swallow, right? – (1, 2, 15) also gets dismissed because 15 is still underage. – (1, 3, 10) gets the boot for the same reason. – (1, 5, 6) falls flat as well because neither 5 nor 6 makes the cut. The only viable combination left is (30, 1, 1). Here, A is 30, and both B and C are 1 year old. As bizarre as it sounds, that’s how the math works out!

Maki and Mashiro’s Reactions

I can totally relate to Mashiro’s confusion during that moment. I mean, who thinks about numbers like this while watching anime? We’re all here for the character dynamics and thrilling plots, not to be put in a math class! Maki, on the other hand, seemed to breeze through the riddle like it was nothing. I have to wonder if she’s secretly a math whiz or just really good at spotting patterns. If only I had her confidence!

Why This Matters

You might be wondering, “What’s the big deal about a riddle in an anime?” Trust me, these little puzzles contribute a lot to the plot. They reveal character traits and test their problem-solving skills, which is a running theme in detective shows. Plus, it keeps us engaged, making us think alongside them. It makes the viewer feel like part of the story, doesn’t it? I also find it amusing how these moments can spark discussions and debates among fans online. I mean, isn’t that part of the beauty of anime culture? We share our interpretations, and sometimes, they veer off into hilariously bizarre territory.

Final Thoughts

So, next time you find yourself caught up in a puzzle like the one from “The Recent Detective,” just remember: sometimes, the answer is simpler than it looks, even if it seems a bit absurd. The writers sure like to keep us on our toes! And who knows? Maybe next time I’ll be the one breezing through the riddles with a Maki-like confidence. What about you? Did you figure it out before the reveal? Or were you as startled as I was? Leave your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your take on this riddle and how it fits into the wider context of the show! Until next time, keep those detective hats on and let’s unravel more mysteries together!