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Subj:.....The Necklace Puzzle (S603)           From the book             "Mathematical Puzzles of Sam Loyd"              Edited by Martin Gardner              From: Dover Publications in 1959 How much should the lady pay to have her necklace made?   I will take occasion to remark that because some of my puzzles are well known does not imply that every one is familiar with the answers to them.  The correct answers to some of the most popular ones have never been published, and, so far as I am aware, have never really been guessed. I will illustrate this point by presenting the "Necklace Puzzle," which I showed several years ago, and which every one who sees it flatters himself that he solves it at once. Yet I do not remember any one who really found the correct answer. It is based on an everyday business transaction, intended to show how the average mortal goes the wrong way about doing anything which calls for the slightest mathematical knowledge or ability.  It is devoid of all semblance of catch or subterfuge, and there is no "missing link" mystery about it.  It was given to all of the leading jewelers and chain makers of New York, who could not see through such a simple transaction, yet not one of them gave the correct answer. A lady bought twelve pieces of chain, as shown in the border of the picture, and wishes to have them made into an endless necklace of 100 links.  The jeweler said it would cost 15 cents each to cut and join a small link and 20 cents to cut and join a large link.  The question is to tell how much the lady should pay to have the necklace made.  That is all there is to it, and it is a pretty problem for young folks.

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