Math Puzzles

How Old Are the Three Brothers?

Three brothers, Alan, Brian and Chuck are all different ages. They each do strange things with numbers, that is, instead of saying the actual number, they change it in a certain way first.

One brother divides the number in half.

Another brother squares the number.

The third brother reverses the digits. (21 becomes 12, 50 and also 5 become 5)

When they were asked their ages, the oldest whispered his "age" to the thinnest, who whispered it to Chuck, who whispered it to the youngest, who answered: 27.

Then the youngest whispered his "age" to the tallest, who whispered it to Brian, who whispered it to the shortest, who answered: 23

Lastly, the youngest whispered his "age" to the shortest, who whispered it to the thinnest, who whispered it to Alan, who answered: 16.

What are the ages of the three brothers?

Thank you New Scientist

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