Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Puzzle 031: Racetrack Riddle

Original diagram for Puzzle 031: Racetrack Riddle

Three horses lap a track two, three and four times a minute, so when are they all back at the start together?

Chapter
Chapter 3
Location
Manor Road · Marco
Picarats
30 picarats
Type
Write Answer
Region
Same in all versions
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
Hint 1

Don't reach for least common multiples straight away. Read the speeds again.

Tap to flip back
Hint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 2

Where is each horse after exactly one minute?

Tap to flip back
Hint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 3

A whole number of laps always brings a horse back to the start.

Tap to flip back
Answer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Answer

The answer is 1 minute.

Tap to flip back
Solution, FAQ and sources

Solution

Each speed is a whole number of laps per minute, so after exactly one minute A has done 2 laps, B 3 and C 4. A whole number of laps always ends at the starting line, so all three are lined up there together after **1 minute**.

About this puzzle

Three horses run around a track. In one minute, horse A does 2 laps, horse B does 3 and horse C does 4. They start together at the starting line, running the same way. After how many minutes are all three back at the starting line at the same moment?

Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.

Similar puzzles: Puzzle 032: Candy Jars, Puzzle 026: Bottle Full of Germs, Puzzle 037: Brother and Sister, Puzzle 041: Spare Change

All Professor Layton and the Curious Village puzzles

FAQ

What is the answer to Puzzle 031, Racetrack Riddle, in Professor Layton and the Curious Village?

The answer is 1 minute.

Where do you find Puzzle 031 in Curious Village?

Puzzle 031 appears in Chapter 3, in the Manor Road area, when you talk to Marco.

How many picarats is Curious Village Puzzle 031 worth?

30 picarats.

Sources

Facts checked on November 14, 2026

Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.