I’m a mark of dust on your brow...

RIDDLE AND BRAIN TEASER

Today’s Riddle & Brain Teaser

Here’s a challenging riddle and brain teaser for you:

Riddle

I’m a mark of dust on your brow,
A somber start, I vow.
After feasts and revelry fade,
Forty days with me are made.
What am I?

Brain Teaser

On Ash Wednesday, a church prepares for Lent with three symbolic acts: distributing ashes, fasting, and prayer. The priest has 15 ash crosses to mark foreheads, 12 fasting guides to hand out, and 9 prayer booklets. Each parishioner receives one of each item as a "Lenten Set" to begin the season. What’s the maximum number of complete Lenten Sets the priest can distribute, and how many of each item will be left over?

RIDDLE AND BRAIN TEASER ANSWERS

Today’s Riddle & Brain Teaser Answers

Answers:
Riddle Answer:
Ash Wednesday
Explanation: The "mark of dust" refers to the ash cross on foreheads, "somber start" signals Lent’s beginning, "after feasts" nods to Mardi Gras ending, and "forty days" is Lent’s duration (excluding Sundays).

Brain Teaser Answer:
The maximum number of complete Lenten Sets is 9, with 6 ash crosses, 3 fasting guides, and 0 prayer booklets left over.
Explanation: Each set requires 1 ash cross, 1 fasting guide, and 1 prayer booklet. The limiting factor is the 9 prayer booklets. So:

• 9 sets use 9 ash crosses (15 - 9 = 6 left),

• 9 fasting guides (12 - 9 = 3 left),

• 9 prayer booklets (9 - 9 = 0 left).
  Thus, 9 full sets are distributed, leaving 6 ash crosses, 3 fasting guides, and 0 prayer booklets.

Enjoy Ash Wednesday