Practice Problem #10: Car Talk Puzzler

Remarks:

This problem is posted in the format of a "Car Talk Puzzler" for those of you who are familar with the long-running NPR program Car Talk. You are given a puzzling automotive "scenario" and then you are asked to explain what happened.

All of the events in this problem really happened down to the last detail. A true story!

The problem itself is delineated on the first two pages. See if you can figure it out first without looking at the "clues and hints" which are posted on the third page.

This is a probably not a very good exam problem because it is a little too "tricky". Not too hard, just too "tricky". Solutions to be posted later this afternoon.