Originally posted by Fred Rosenberger:
I say it can't be done.
I would tend to disagree, Fred.
There are only so many ages for her sons with 36 as a product:
1 1 36 (sum = 38)
1 2 18 (sum = 21)
1 3 12 (sum = 16)
1 4 9 (sum = 14)
1 6 6 (sum = 13)
2 2 9 (sum = 13)
2 3 6 (sum = 11)
3 3 4 (sum = 10)
The only address (sum of ages) that would not provide enough information would be 13. So the sons are either 1 6 6 or 2 2 9. The statement that the lady's "big son is sleeping" implies that she has one single eldest son, as opposed to twins that are tied for being eldest. Therefore her sons are 2, 2, and 9.