lthough this riddle is known by many people and generally a single answer is thought of as correct,

there are many answers that work as a logical solution. This variety of solutions is formed through
ambiguity. The answers: 0, 1, 2, 7, 9, 2753, 2800 and 2802 are all possibilities because of the
ambiguity of the lines 'As I was going to St. Ives', 'Kits, cats, sacks, and wives', and 'How many were
there going to St. Ives?'. Usually 1 is thought of as the answer because only the narrator is definitely
going to St. Ives. But is he included in the count? Who is included in the count? Is the man and his
wives going to St. Ives? Should only people be included? Only living things?