The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Little Christmas Math
by How many presents were given in total? And how much would it cost to buy them?
By Joan Whetzel
You know the old Christmas Carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In that song, the singer, presumably a young woman, receives several gifts from her true love on each of twelve days beginning on Christmas and ending 12 days later on the 5th of January. But how many gifts does her true love give her in all? And how much did her true love spend? Kevin Begos at the Associated Press details the cost of the gifts at 2011 prices.
The First Day of Christmas – A Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the first day of Christmas, the young lady received a partridge in a pear tree. However, she also received this gift on each of the next 11 days, so in the end, she receives a 12 partridges in 12 pear trees every day for 12 days. This is by far the least expensive gift. The partridges sell for about $15 a piece, and he only needs to buy 12 of them. Plus the pear trees of course.
The Second Day of Christmas – 2 Turtle Doves
The young lady received 2 turtledoves and 1 partridge in a pear tree on the second day of Christmas. She receives 2 turtledoves on each of ll days from the 2nd through the 12th days of Christmas.
The Third Day of Christmas – 3 French Hens
Her true love presented her with 3 French hens, 2 turtle days and 1 partridge in a pear tree on the third day of Christmas. She’ll receive 3 French hens on 3rd through the 12th days of Christmas.
The Fourth Day of Christmas – 4 Calling Birds
On the 4th day of Christmas, her suitor brought her 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 calling birds and 1 partridge in a pear tree. She’ll continue receiving 4 calling birds through the 12th day of Christmas.
The Fifth Day of Christmas – 5 Golden Rings
The young lady accepted 5 golden rings along with 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 calling birds and a partridge in a pear tree on the fifth day of Christmas. Her true love gives her 5 golden rings on each day for the next 7 days. The rings should run the lover about $650 for each set of rings.
The Sixth Day of Christmas – 6 Geese A Laying
The sixth day of Christmas brings in a cache of gifts including 6 geese a laying, 5 golden rings, 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtledoves and 1 partridge in a pear tree. Six more geese a laying will appear on her doorstep for the next 6 days as well.
Liked it
