A Puzzle A Day: 2026-04-02

Correct: 1/5

Let the initial total value of the hoard be 'V'. 1. **Initial State:** * Gold value = (1/3)V * Other items (gems + artifacts) value = V - (1/3)V = (2/3)V * Total Hoard Value = V 2. **Goblin's Pilfering:** The goblin steals half of the *current* gold. * Gold remaining = (1/2) * (1/3)V = (1/6)V * Other items value remains unchanged = (2/3)V * Total Hoard Value after goblin = (1/6)V (gold) + (2/3)V (other) = (1/6)V + (4/6)V = (5/6)V 3. **Wizard's Spell:** The wizard increases the *total remaining value* of the hoard by 20%. This means that all components making up this remaining total (both the gold and the other items) are scaled up proportionally. * New Gold value = (1/6)V * (1 + 0.20) = (1/6)V * 1.2 = (1/6)V * (6/5) = (1/5)V * New Other items value = (2/3)V * (1 + 0.20) = (2/3)V * 1.2 = (2/3)V * (6/5) = (4/5)V * New Total Hoard Value = (1/5)V (new gold) + (4/5)V (new other) = V (Alternatively, the new total can be calculated as the previous total increased by 20%: (5/6)V * 1.2 = (5/6)V * (6/5) = V. Both methods confirm the total returns to its original value V.) 4. **Final Calculation:** We need to find the fraction of the *new total hoard value* that is composed of gold. * Fraction of gold = (New Gold value) / (New Total Hoard Value) = ((1/5)V) / V = 1/5. Therefore, 1/5 of the new total hoard's value is composed of gold.