Meek, "Shyam's value of perimeter cannot be the same value that can be derived from the value of area that Ram knows." Why not? I am not sure if I understood what you are saying either. Hit and error method is futile. Your second paragraph is logically true, but I do not see its connection to the rest of your answer. "The values of (l+b) can be either 11, 17, 23, 27, 29 35 or37." Why only those values? Did I miss something? And, I find it mysterious that you got 5X6 as the obvious answer by hit and error method. Anyway, good attempt though! **The conversation between Ram and Shyam holds the key to the Pandora's box.