Tough Cookies

[Otis]

Three people make statements about Bob's cookie consumption.

Alan: Bob ate at least four cookies.

Bob: I didn't! I ate fewer than four cookies!

Cheryl: Well, Bob ate at least one cookie.

If exactly one of these statements is true, how many cookies did Bob eat?

?

 

[Mr. Bland]

If only one is true among

[imath]x \ge 4[/imath]
[imath]x < 4[/imath]
[imath]x \ge 1[/imath]
​

then I have to ask, did Bob spit out any cookies?

 

[Otis]

I have to ask, did Bob spit out any cookies?

I'm not sure, but the puzzle concerns cookies consumed, not spat.

 

[Mr. Bland]

Just sayin', negative numbers aren't impossible.

 

[Otis]

negative numbers aren't impossible

How could we get a negative number of consumed cookies?

 

[Mr. Bland]

Start spitting them out, of course. Like, without putting any in first. It's a thing.

 

[Otis]

You're trying to redefine the verb 'consume', Mr. Bland. That's not allowed in this brainteaser.

And, don't even try talking about tossing one's cookies, ha.

?

 

[Harry_the_cat]

I think Bob must be still hungry because he hasn't eaten any cookies.

 

[lookagain]

I think Bob must be still hungry because he hasn't eaten any cookies.

After analyzing the cases, I agree with your conclusion.

 

[Otis]

I think Bob must be still hungry because he hasn't eaten any cookies.

In other words, yer sayin' Alan and Cheryl are fibbers. Perfectomundo!

 

[JayJay]

Hasn't Bob made two true statements?

 

[Otis]

Hasn't Bob made two true statements?

No, he has. I love it! (Thanks for noticing.) The brain teasers that I post in dark red are from an old Mensa page-a-day calendar, lol.