Something to make you think (but don't think too hard)

[slaveofconvention]

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576160_10150928246332067_692427066_12791308_158296 4041_n.jpg

I got this in about 3 or 4 minutes so apparently, I have a juvenile intellect heh

[NightrainSrt4]

Only a few minutes here, but I'm alright with math and number patterns. When I looked up how the kids figured it out I laughed as I never would have thought to do it that way.

[slaveofconvention]

There's more than one way to do it? PM me with the details lol - anyone else - feel free to PM me with an answer and I'll confirm it heh

[CrazyTeaPot]

I'm terrible with math, so I had to look it up since I still have an insatiable curiosity.

I laughed. And then cried.

[xr4man]

well f*** me in the goat a$$

[slaveofconvention]

I've been doing some digging around for this and found some really complex and technical ways of "solving" it - it is my opinion that these methods "happen" to come out with the correct answer by coincedence - the original puzzle is meant as one that can be solved by a pre-schooler who would be unlikely to build complex relational tables or work out technical methods involving prime numbers and algebraic substitution....

In other words - real the original title heh - DON'T THINK TOO HARD

[CrazyTeaPot]

Quite literally speaking: Think like a pre-schooler. I tried doing that. I still failed. lol

[Stonerboy779]

**** spoiler tags don't work on this forum...

[Airbozo]

Funny stuff. I love math puzzles. I got it right away too. Maybe it was a book my mom handed me when I was in 4th grade. It was a post graduate level math book where they gave you all kinds of tricks for solving long complicated equations. Unfortunately I would fail the "Show your work" section and then have to prove how I did the math.

Great stuff!

(Someone PM me the different ways to solve it, I am curious).

[AmEv]

My solution was "It's impossible". My way of preschool thinking.

[Airbozo]

My solution was "It's impossible". My way of preschool thinking.

lol!

Good answer!

[d_stilgar]

Took me less than 5 minutes. Thought too hard for a little bit and then kept thinking "pre-school". What relationship do these numbers have? Look at the answers, especially the odd one answer five. After that I just stared at it and the answer jumped out.

[AmEv]

Stumped...

And I need to clear out my PMbox...


*Duh....

Look at number four.

[slaveofconvention]

OK so for those of you still struggling - maybe this'll help.... The answer is ..... 2 <--- answer here in white which is almost invisible - if you want to read it, click on the last . after the answer is and drag to the <

For those of you who use oddball colour schemes so it stood out more - erm - sorry :P

On another note - a genuine thanks to everyone who figured it out and DIDN'T post the answer - it's nice when people show more interest in letting others have a go than in trying to make themselves look clever by blurting the answer out!!!

[CrazyTeaPot]

The proper way to do a spoiler tag in this situation would be to create a math problem that would result in the answer. Make it easy enough that it doesn't (also) stump the reader, but hard enough that it doesn't jump out at them without thought. That way if someone wants the answer, just solve the problem.

I can clearly see the answer btw slave. Maybe my eyes are just really good at seeing white. lol

[d_stilgar]

Someone should let me know when it's appropriate to give a big hint and then I'll post a good one.

[artoodeeto]

I had to look up the answer after staring at it way too long. I feel really dumb now...

[dr.walrus]

As a programmer, my answer is 2581. The rest of the contents of the paper are irrelevant.

[pcclan]

hmmm is it bad the i don't get it

[Stonerboy779]

hmmm is it bad the i don't get it

No but I found it easiest to solve if I considered the difference between the numbers that equal 0 and all the others.

[Cale_Hagan]

it took me forever, till someone said it had to do with pattern. my brain hurts.... :facepalm:

[d_stilgar]

No but I found it easiest to solve if I considered the difference between the numbers that equal 0 and all the others.

I'll add to this hint by saying that all the answers equal a low number, which is a clue in itself.

[slaveofconvention]

Ok so the answer (along with the reason) is here --> http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=358557#post358557

I figured that this was the best way to help out those of you going slowly insane while still allowing those of you who haven't had a go to try to figure it out....