Analysis of Cranberry Scones - Mystery Master
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CranberryScones

This two-star logic puzzle has 4 noun types, 4 nouns per type, 1 link, 16 facts, and 4 rules. It needs 96 marks and 6 grids. Even though there are no links for you to define, you need to employ rules (and triggers) for clues 2 - 5. I'll explain why I don't need a rule for clue 1. Clue 1 states: "Each of the four housemates ate a different number of the ten scones, and each had at least one." So what is the most scones one person could eat?

The answer is 4, which means the unique numbers must be [1,2,3,4], since 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10. Knowing the number of scones satisfies clue 1.

Clue 2 states: "Mr. Lopez and the one headed for the archery tournament ate five scones between them." Rule 1 checks that if both numbers are known, then the sum must be 5. But this rule can also employ two triggers; when one number is given, it will calculate and enter the other number.

Clue 3 states: "Mr. Ingham didn't eat as many scones as did the young man heading for the beach." The two facts we know are Mr. Ingham did not eat the most (4), and the man heading for the beach did not eat the least (1). Rule 2 will not only check that both numbers satisfy this clue, it also employs two triggers. When one number is given (positive mark 'O'), it will enter the appropriate negative marks ('X').

Clue 4 states: "Gordy ate two more scones than Mr. Kavalec did." The facts we know are Gordy did not eat 1 or 2 scones, and Mr. Kavalec did not eat 3 or 4 scones. Rule 3 will check that both numbers satisfy this clue. And when one number is given, it will calculate and enter the other number.

Clue 5 states: "Horace ate twice as many scones as Mr. Johnston did." The facts we know are Horace did not eat 1 or 3 scones, and Mr. Johnston did not eat 3 or 4 scones. Rule 4 will check that both numbers satisfy this clue. And when one number is given, it will calculate and enter the other number.