ANSWER:

            To understand why the puzzle works, you must solve it algebraically.

             Let x = your house number.

             Let y = your age.

             Let A = answer 
 
 

Using the numbered list of instructions, set up the problem as an algebraic equation. It would look like this:

             A = 50(2x + 5) + y + 365 - 615 

                  100
 

             A = 100x + 250 + y +365 -615

                  100
 

             A = 100x + y

                  100
 

             A = x + y/100
 

             Therefore,

             x = the house number (You started with this number.)

             y/100 = your age (When you divide by 100, you move the decimal point two places to     the left.)
 

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