Futility Closet

Nepotism Rewarded

Posted in Puzzles by Greg Ross on August 26th, 2009

It’s your first day at XYZ Industries, and your new boss calls you into his office. There you meet another trainee, J. Wellington Smithersby-Farquhar VII, the owner’s son, who is already helping himself to the brandy.

“Gentlemen,” says the boss, “we have a bit of a difficulty. You’ll both be starting at $100,000 per year, as promised. But I must offer you different increases. One of you will get a $15,000 raise each year, and the other a $5,000 raise every half-year.”

“That’s no problem, sir,” says Wellington, lighting a cigar. “I’m sure Jenkins will be quite happy with the smaller sum.”

The boss coughs uncomfortably. “Jenkins,” he says, “is that acceptable?”

How should you respond?

(Answer)