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The BARRA Brainteaser
for Spting 1998
Solution to the Winter
1998 Brainteaser
The BARRA Brainteaser for Spring 1998
By Eugene ReznikIt’s a little-known fact that, next to solving crimes, Sherlock Holmes’s favorite hobby was investing. An inquisitive Dr. Watson once asked Holmes about his fixed income portfolio. "Elementary, my dear Watson–elementary!" exclaimed the grand master. "I hold only three bonds. All of them mature in an integral number of years. As for the exact dates, you can deduce them yourself: The product of the bonds’ maturities (in years) is 36, and the sum is equal to the number of cases I have solved this year."
After a moment’s contemplation, Holmes added: "Ah–I really have not given you sufficient information. You should also know that the longest bond has a semi-annual coupon."
Help Dr. Watson deduce the maturities of the three bonds in Holmes’s portfolio.
You may send solutions to the BARRA Brainteaser to:
Eugene Reznik
E-mail: eugene.reznik@barra.com;
fax: 510.548.4374
mail:
BARRA 2100 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704-1333
United States.
