Toughest Riddle Ever - see if you can get it [Archive]

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 04:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure if this violates the rules, but:

x = 7 * 3
y = (3 - 7)

(x)-(y)-(x/x) = 24

[/ QUOTE ]

ya cause its the wrong answer

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the answer, no? I used the standard functions, only used each number once, and came out with 24. So, how's it wrong?

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 04:56 AM

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[ QUOTE ]
Your answer comes out to 25, unless I'm missing something.

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Yes you are..
<font color="white">I don't know how to add </font>

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/grin.gif /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Reef

09-08-2005, 04:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure if this violates the rules, but:

x = 7 * 3
y = (3 - 7)

(x)-(y)-(x/x) = 24

[/ QUOTE ]

ya cause its the wrong answer

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the answer, no? I used the standard functions, only used each number once, and came out with 24. So, how's it wrong?

[/ QUOTE ]

It looks like you didn't actually use each number once.

diebitter

09-08-2005, 04:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure if this violates the rules, but:

x = 7 * 3
y = (3 - 7)

(x)-(y)-(x/x) = 24

[/ QUOTE ]

ya cause its the wrong answer

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the answer, no? I used the standard functions, only used each number once, and came out with 24. So, how's it wrong?

[/ QUOTE ]

You didn't use each number once. Just cos you said x = 7*3, you still used x multiple times, and therefore used 7,3 multiple times.

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 04:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure if this violates the rules, but:

x = 7 * 3
y = (3 - 7)

(x)-(y)-(x/x) = 24

[/ QUOTE ]

ya cause its the wrong answer

[/ QUOTE ]

I got the answer, no? I used the standard functions, only used each number once, and came out with 24. So, how's it wrong?

[/ QUOTE ]

It looks like you didn't actually use each number once.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah nevermind. I thought I could circumvent that whole thing if I just used variables, but I guess "x" does count too. I dunno.

This is hard.

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 05:14 AM

I'm so giving up on this now, just like I gave up on level 13 of that damn laser game. :/

Vavavoom

09-08-2005, 05:21 AM

I can get 23.333333333333333

24 ? Hmmmm

Benholio

09-08-2005, 05:21 AM

If this is a trick question, I will stab you in the jaw.

[ QUOTE ]
Challenge 24. 7373.

For those of you that don't know how it works, you use all 4 numbers once and use the four basic math functions to get to 24. For example if you have 4444, you do 4*4 + 4 + 4 = 24.

SHOOT!

[/ QUOTE ]

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 05:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I can get 23.333333333333333

24 ? Hmmmm

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I got that too. I thought about trying to cop out by rounding up, but nah. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

ghostface

09-08-2005, 05:27 AM

Using + - * and / I dont think it can be done.

I can get 23 and 25.

Vavavoom

09-08-2005, 05:38 AM

I think we need the answer....

I did A-Level Maths at School and even thats not helping me now...

FWIW, I bet its a really simple answer as well...

**Edited for grammatical purposes, so that TheTroll doesn't fail me on my coursework**

diebitter

09-08-2005, 05:42 AM

I bet you can combine the numbers, and it'll be something like

=337/7 or similar

wtfsvi

09-08-2005, 05:43 AM

Tried it, doesn't help.

Raza

09-08-2005, 05:55 AM

I did every combination; looks impossible.

You sure you got it right?

TheTROLL

09-08-2005, 05:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]

I done A-Level Maths at School and even thats not helping me now...

FWIW, I bet its a really simple answer as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

I did Maths too - and English, so I don't say "I done Maths" :-)

After over two minutes of trying, I'm convinced this can't be done!

diebitter

09-08-2005, 05:57 AM

If the OP doesn't tell us the answer soon, I suggest we form a lynch mob.

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 06:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If the OP doesn't tell us the answer soon, I suggest we form a lynch mob.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this. I want an answer or:

http://www.indcjournal.com/archives/noose.jpg

SCfuji

09-08-2005, 06:14 AM

the phuck kind of crooked calculator are you using.

Mad Genius1

09-08-2005, 06:29 AM

I can't get the answer either. I have been trying for the past 3 hours. My good friend swears there is a possible answer and he told someone else to prove that an answer exists. I was hoping the smart folks here could help me...but no luck so far.

wtfsvi

09-08-2005, 06:31 AM

I am angry with you now.

ghostface

09-08-2005, 06:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I done A-Level Maths at School and even thats not helping me now...

FWIW, I bet its a really simple answer as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

I did Maths too - and English, so I don't say "I done Maths" :-)

After over two minutes of trying, I'm convinced this can't be done!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well that settles it. It's impossible. Even the best minds cant get it.

diebitter

09-08-2005, 06:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I can't get the answer either. I have been trying for the past 3 hours. My good friend swears there is a possible answer and he told someone else to prove that an answer exists. I was hoping the smart folks here could help me...but no luck so far.

[/ QUOTE ]

You got a number wrong somewhere.

I need to go lie down with a cold flannel on my head now, or go pick a fight with a little guy...

hotdog da 2rd

09-08-2005, 06:54 AM

( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7

amateurs. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

ghostface

09-08-2005, 06:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7

amateurs. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

hot damn...

diebitter

09-08-2005, 06:58 AM

I feel better now.

wtfsvi

09-08-2005, 06:59 AM

God damnit. How did I not try that? Obvious. Man.

TheTROLL

09-08-2005, 07:03 AM

Good work, Sir!

Vavavoom

09-08-2005, 09:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7
amateurs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've just got back from a very booooooozy lunch...

U sir, will have very intelligent children !!

SCfuji

09-08-2005, 07:38 PM

there is no answer.

DasLeben

09-08-2005, 07:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
there is no answer.

[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7

amateurs. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

mostsmooth

09-08-2005, 07:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
there is no answer.

[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7

amateurs. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

the ultimate paradox!!!

hotdog da 2rd

09-08-2005, 08:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7
amateurs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've just got back from a very booooooozy lunch...

U sir, will have very intelligent children !!

[/ QUOTE ]

tyty, always a pleasure to help out the less fortunate.
<font color="white"> i kid i kid </font> /images/graemlins/grin.gif

SCfuji

09-08-2005, 09:07 PM

mother phuckers.1.111!!!!

pankwindu

09-09-2005, 04:36 AM

I feel cheated. I did not know you could use grouping. Isn't that sort of introducing algebraic concepts, when the question implies basic arithmetic only.

That expression is equivalent to 3 / 7 * 7 + 3 * 7 when the grouping is expanded. Too many numbers.

Maybe I'm just nitpicking because I'm tired.

ChipWrecked

09-09-2005, 04:44 AM

I thought you had to use all the basic math functions.

Who am I kidding, I'd still be working on this when the sun becomes a red giant.

toss

09-09-2005, 05:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
( 3/7 + 3 ) * 7

amateurs. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Agh.

whiskeytown

09-09-2005, 05:06 AM

I was SO close to heading in this direction - but I was trying a few others first -

nh

RB

hotdog da 2rd

09-09-2005, 06:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I feel cheated. I did not know you could use grouping. Isn't that sort of introducing algebraic concepts, when the question implies basic arithmetic only.

That expression is equivalent to 3 / 7 * 7 + 3 * 7 when the grouping is expanded. Too many numbers.

Maybe I'm just nitpicking because I'm tired.

[/ QUOTE ]

sometime you have to think outside the box. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

hotdog da 2rd

09-09-2005, 06:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I thought you had to use all the basic math functions.

Who am I kidding, I'd still be working on this when the sun becomes a red giant.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
4 * 4 + 4 + 4 = 24.

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Sifmole

09-09-2005, 02:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I feel cheated. I did not know you could use grouping. Isn't that sort of introducing algebraic concepts, when the question implies basic arithmetic only.

That expression is equivalent to 3 / 7 * 7 + 3 * 7 when the grouping is expanded. Too many numbers.

Maybe I'm just nitpicking because I'm tired.

[/ QUOTE ]

sometime you have to think outside the box. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thinking outside the box != violating the rules.

1) use all 4 numbers
2) only 4 basic math functions
3) expression that results in an answer of 24.

Your expression relies on a 5th math function -- parenthesis to affect the order of evaluation. Not valid.

Freakin

09-09-2005, 02:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I feel cheated. I did not know you could use grouping. Isn't that sort of introducing algebraic concepts, when the question implies basic arithmetic only.

That expression is equivalent to 3 / 7 * 7 + 3 * 7 when the grouping is expanded. Too many numbers.

Maybe I'm just nitpicking because I'm tired.

[/ QUOTE ]

sometime you have to think outside the box. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thinking outside the box != violating the rules.

1) use all 4 numbers
2) only 4 basic math functions
3) expression that results in an answer of 24.

Your expression relies on a 5th math function -- parenthesis to affect the order of evaluation. Not valid.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're not evaluating a long expression; it's simple [censored] arithmetic

3/7
+3
*7

Parenthesis aren't a function. This is the answer. If you want to go around telling yourself that there isn't an answer though, be my guest.

Freakin

09-09-2005, 04:44 PM

If you want to drive yourself crazy, try Einstein's riddle that he said 98% of people cannot solve.

There are 5 houses in 5 different colors. In each house lives a person with a different nationality. The 5 owners drink a certain type of beverage, smoke a certain brand of cigar, and keep a certain pet. No owners have the same pet, smoke the same brand of cigar, or drink the same beverage.
The question is: Who owns the fish?

Hints:

The Brit lives in the red house.
The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
The Dane drinks tea.
The green house is on the left of the white house.
The green homeowner drinks coffee.
The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
The owner of the yellow house smokes Dunhill.
The man living in the center house drinks milk.
The Norwegian lives in the first house.
The man who smokes Blend lives next to the one who keeps cats.
The man who keeps the horse lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
The owner who smokes Bluemaster drinks beer.
The German smokes prince.
The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
The man who smokes Blend has a neighbor who drinks water.

Sifmole

09-09-2005, 06:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I feel cheated. I did not know you could use grouping. Isn't that sort of introducing algebraic concepts, when the question implies basic arithmetic only.

That expression is equivalent to 3 / 7 * 7 + 3 * 7 when the grouping is expanded. Too many numbers.

Maybe I'm just nitpicking because I'm tired.

[/ QUOTE ]

sometime you have to think outside the box. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thinking outside the box != violating the rules.

1) use all 4 numbers
2) only 4 basic math functions
3) expression that results in an answer of 24.

Your expression relies on a 5th math function -- parenthesis to affect the order of evaluation. Not valid.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're not evaluating a long expression; it's simple [censored] arithmetic

3/7
+3
*7

Parenthesis aren't a function. This is the answer. If you want to go around telling yourself that there isn't an answer though, be my guest.

Freakin

[/ QUOTE ]

You are right it is simple arithmetic... and you are wrong.

Please see this 3rd grade primer.

http://www.mathgoodies.com/lessons/vol7/order_operations.html

Now -- tell me how writing 3/7+3*7 comes out as 24.

It only happens that way when you include the 5th operator or parenthesis. And if you claim they aren't a seperate operation then why do all math texts tell you that they have their own position in the order of operations? and why do they have such a significant effect on the result of an expression.

So -- nyah nyah nyah to you too.

Bradyams

09-09-2005, 07:32 PM

(7.3+.7)*3 = 24

Too bad I have to use parantheses to get it to work.

09-09-2005, 08:04 PM

The German has the fish.

UprightCreature

09-09-2005, 08:05 PM

Of course parens are allowed they aren't operations just a notational crutch. The only reason we even use them is because of a notational deficiency.

I'll just give my answer in reverse polish notation.
3 7 / 3 + 7 *
=24

See no parens.

ps Yes I'm a geek, but so are you if you understand my answer /images/graemlins/grin.gif

bravos1

09-09-2005, 08:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Of course parens are allowed they aren't operations just a notational crutch. The only reason we even use them is because of a notational deficiency.

I'll just give my answer in reverse polish notation.
3 7 / 3 + 7 *
=24

See no parens.

ps Yes I'm a geek, but so are you if you understand my answer /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Just stand back from the HP.. just back away.. It will twist your brain.

Sifmole

09-09-2005, 09:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Of course parens are allowed they aren't operations just a notational crutch. The only reason we even use them is because of a notational deficiency.

I'll just give my answer in reverse polish notation.
3 7 / 3 + 7 *
=24

See no parens.

ps Yes I'm a geek, but so are you if you understand my answer /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Parens aren't allowed if you follow the rules, they are an operation.

That said -- bravo on a great answer.

Tha

DasLeben

09-09-2005, 09:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The German has the fish.

[/ QUOTE ]

How'd you figure it out? I sat there for like 45 minutes drawing diagrams trying to figure it out. :/

The best I got was that I had all the houses arranged by color correctly.

09-10-2005, 05:30 PM

I put all the conditions on little pieces of paper and then put it together like a jigsaw puzzle more or less. You should able to put the top of houses together. With the remaining pieces, I just wrote the numbers 1-5 across the top and elimated as many column numbers as I could from each piece. I got to point where I couldn't eliminate any more column numbers. From that point I just tried some combinations and finally found one that fit. It took about 45 mins while I was working.