Solve if you are genius

[fried eggs]

Be careful when answering. Agent Steve is watching.

[enlightenment]

1. ARGH.

got it wrong twice. I quit.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. 9?

[Zorra]

146. If 6 was 9...

[Ron Green]

3. 9.

[longship]

4. It's 9.

[customerserviceguy]

9. So right

I'm sure many people get thrown by the equal sign

[Nimajneb Nilknarf]

5. 9

[kentuck]

6. I got a half dozen.

[Scuba]

39. Bingo.

[ZombieHorde]

7. The next number in the patern is six.

I'm no genius.

[Capt.Rocky300]

8. 9

[Happyhippychick]

10. 6

[X_Digger]

11. 6. It's X * (X-1) n/t

[jazzimov]

18. Agreed.

[bemildred]

12. 6.

Series: 2 6 12 20 30 42 56 72

Differences: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

X * ( X+1 ) works too, as noted before.

[Cronus Protagonist]

13. 6

Looks like they skipped one in the sequence to throw us off.

9=72
8=56
7=42 *puff*
6=30
5=20
4=12
3=6
2=2
1=0
0=0
end program

[kentuck]

19. Yep.

It was a trick question that required closer observation.

[Aerows]

34. I got it in one

Yay me.

[BainsBane]

14. If I can solve a math problem

You don't need to be a genius. I'm innumerate. The answer is 9.

[Lucinda]

15. 6

[liberal N proud]

16. 9

[Aerows]

35. Nope

It's a regressive logic puzzle. The answer is 6.

[Xipe Totec]

17. Six

[LittleBlue]

20. 6

Genius?

If the number on the left is X, the number on the right is X^2 - X

Not sure about the equals sign, that's not appropriate

[fried eggs]

56. Are you a mathematician?

I got 6 too, but my logic was that the number on the left was being multiplied by 8,7,6,5,... but your approach is superior because it works even if people don't realize that the left side skips from 5 to 3.

[LittleBlue]

61. nah

Did take a lot of math that I never used, though

Checked and someone did it up the page but factored the X out

x^2 -x = x (x-1)

[demwing]

157. or X*(X-1)

Last edited Wed Sep 25, 2013, 06:27 AM - Edit history (1)

3(3-1)=6

(3^2)=6

Same stuff...

[Mr_Calculus]

165. DING DING DING: CORRECT!

f(x)=x^2-x; or: f(x)= x-1) are correct...in that both get you to the correct answer.

BUT, f(x)=x^2-x is the absolutely correct response!

[NoGOPZone]

21. 3=3

reflexive property

[tiny elvis]

29. you win this time, NoGOPZone >:(

[NoGOPZone]

36. a fraction of a second faster. My internet connection must be good tonight nt

[tiny elvis]

22. 3=3

it does not matter if the first five equations are wrong

are you genius?

[Capt.Rocky300]

23. Can I change my answer? Please?

[Lady Freedom Returns]

24. Answer.

9=72 (56 +16)
8=56 (42+ 14)
7=42 (20+12)
5=20 (12+8)
4=12 (6+6)
3=6

[cbayer]

25. 6?

[catnhatnh]

26. it's 6

[onehandle]

27. Blue? nt

[tiny elvis]

32. celebrity jeopardy!

[Calista241]

28. 6

But I'm a math idiot. So probably wrong.

[catnhatnh]

30. I make the pattern X times (X-1)=

that it?

[truebluegreen]

50. Yup. nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

31. 3

sequential 8 7 6 5 4 ...... 3

[Aerows]

38. It could be that, too

since 3 is a prime number and you can't divide anything by it. It's a trick question, but mathematically the answer is 6 but there are about 5 different ways to make it work. You can look at it as a regressive formula, or also as simple addition and subtraction.

[DCBob]

33. 6 (3*2)

9*8=72
8*7=56
7*6=42
6*5=30
5*4=20
4*3=12
3*2=6

easy.

[LuvNewcastle]

109. That's how I did it.

Looks like there's other ways people found to figure it out, too. I think our way is easiest.

[DCBob]

110. Yeah, but the thing that bothers me now is the red and blue.

I wonder what does that mean.. if anything.

Also look here.. the poster may not have the answer.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022968160#post87

ugh.

[LuvNewcastle]

111. Aww, hell, no fair!

[dimbear]

37. You can't miss on this quiz, because once 9=72, all numbers are equal.

Simplifies math a good bit.

[Shankapotomus]

40. 6 nt

[baldguy]

41. 6

9 (*8) = 72
8 (*7) = 56
7 (*6) = 42
6 (*5) = 30
5 (*4) = 20
4 (*3) = 12
3 *2 = 6

And who is Agent Steve? Has Agent Mike been replaced?

[ThomThom]

72. No, Steve is the night shift

Mikes out getting high on someone else's smoke
You think he could hang out here and not get fucked-up

[jorno67]

42. 6

[Earth_First]

43. I'd like to poll the fourm...

Please pick up the polling device located on the seat back of the chair in front of you and select your answer...

[alphafemale]

44. The answer is 6. And I know why.

9 x 9 - 9

8 x 8 - 8

etc

[HiPointDem]

45. 6

[Uzair]

46. 24. I win.

Where is my prize?

[Buns_of_Fire]

47. 6. Although if Calvin is giving it, the correct answer is "chocolate." nt

[Tuesday Afternoon]

60. the correct answer is always chocolate in my world

or bacon

[truebluegreen]

48. 6.

[JVS]

49. Trick question. 3=3

First of all, they're trying to trick you by saying 9=72, 8=56 and so on into order for you to recognize a pattern n=n*(n-1). But that isn't how the equality relationship works. n=n for all n. They know that people will over think it and interpret it as a congruence relationship. But that isn't technically what they wrote.


Then they're also trying to trick you by skipping from 5 to 4, so that you get out of sequence and answer 9 instead of 6.

[GiveMeFreedom]

51. There is no spoon. n/t

[Jamastiene]

52. 6

I got it wrong the first time I saw it because I didn't notice the 4 was missing.

[cherokeeprogressive]

53. Why can't 6 AND 9 be right?

[Uzair]

54. Because they're both wrong.

The answer is 24.

[Buns_of_Fire]

59. But I thought the answer to everything was 42.

Lordy, I'm SO confused now...

[Tx4obama]

55. Answer: Three = 6

10 = 90
9 = 72 then (+18 = 90)
8 = 56 then (+16 = 72)
7 = 42 then (+14 = 56)
6 = 30 then (+12 = 42)
5 = 20 then (+10 = 30)
4 = 12 then (+8 = 20)
3 = 6 then (+6 = 12)
2 = 2 then (+4 = 6)
1 = 0 then (+2 = 2)

Read from the bottom up

[Tuesday Afternoon]

57. 3 x 2 = 6

I think I see a pattern

and I love Calvin

might be a poet even

[hack89]

58. 6. nt

[IDemo]

62. There is no single solution without further info

It could be 6 if you assume the formula is X * (X-1)

It would equal null if it's X * the numeral below X (there is none below 3, not even zero)

Not sure where folks are getting 9.

[geckosfeet]

68. the progression/equation appears to be X*(X-1)=Y

But I agree - there is some ambiguity.

[Jamastiene]

84. They don't notice the 4 is not there.

I made the same mistake on FB early this morning when I first woke up. That'll teach me to try to do weird FB math first thing in the morning.

[stevenleser]

63. 6

[stevenleser]

65. Can also be 14 actually.

Formula could also be (Previous value of x) -(x+x)

So
8=56
7=42 or 56-(7+7)
6=30 or 42-(6+6)
5=20 or 30-(5+5)
3=14 or 20-(3+3)

[muriel_volestrangler]

105. Then how would you have got '9=72'? (nt)

[Tx4obama]

64. If the red numbers are separate from the blue ones then... 3 could be 21

9 = 72 (9 x 8 = 72)

3 = 21 (3 x 7 = 21)

[Skip Intro]

66. It is 12 because...

On the equals side of the list of equations, starting with 20 and going up, the difference between each starts with ten, (30-20) and increases by two.

Using that logic, if we move down from 20 on the same side, and figure the answer is the difference between 20 and 8, we end up with 12.

Maybe there's more than one answer, but that's one.

[CanonRay]

155. Yes, it's twelve

I got there a different way, but same answer.

[geckosfeet]

67. 6

9x8=72
8x7=56
7x6=42 (Yay Arthur Dent)
6x5=30
5x4=20
4x3=12
3x2=6

[liberal_at_heart]

99. oh damn, I fell for it. I said 12.

That's what I get for trying to do it in my head. I cannot do math in my head. I always have to write it down.

[frogmarch]

69. 15 nt

[Skittles]

70. I get ?? = 6

what's the answer?

[tjwash]

71. It is 6 Y=X(X-1) Facebook has been getting flooded with this stuff lately

I like the order of operations ones that everyone forgets how to do:

1*3+1-(3+8*3)-4=??

[reformist2]

73. I disagree strongly with the use of the equal sign here. Should be an arrow, or a colon.

[IDemo]

74. True that

It's labeled as a math quiz but violates the rules. 3 equals 3, always.

[Jamastiene]

83. Same here.

3=3 Period

All those others equal themselves with no x or other value added behind the original number.

[muriel_volestrangler]

106. You better stay away from computer programming, then

The repeated use of "x=x+1" will drive you mad.

[IDemo]

124. The difference between programming and math

In code, "x=x+1" uses a single equals sign as an assignment operator, meaning the right side is evaluated and the resulting value then assigned to the left side. But the expression x=x+1 will never be true in arithmetic. You can do that with a programming variable, but you can't arbitrarily make 9 = 72 in math; it's an invalid operation.

Essentially the only relevant part of the so-called "math" quiz is the last line: 3 = ??, where the answer is obviously 3. Everything above that point is meaningless. If they want to call 3.14 = cherry pie, they can call it a puzzle or riddle.

[muriel_volestrangler]

125. So you arbitrarily declare most of the quiz 'meaningless'?

A quiz is not a formal examination; it doesn't mean that what appears in it must be something you could write in a mathematical paper. Quizzes can include puzzles.

If you really want to say that the answer must be something that is equal to the '3' on the left of the equals sign, then there are an infinite number of 'correct' solutions; 4-1, 25-22, -1 * -3, the real cube root of 27, etc. Which are all more interesting than putting '3' there.

[IDemo]

128. If you want to call it a 'math' quiz, you can't include illegal operations

As I said, 9 will never equal 72, even in extremely large cases of 9. And yes, you can enter anything on the right-hand side of the equals sign that evaluates to the value on the left. That doesn't change my point.

[muriel_volestrangler]

129. It's a 'math' quiz because math helps gets you the solution

You consider the given relations, and use knowledge of mathematical operations like multiplication and subtraction to find the pattern.

Your answer is tediously pedantic and uninteresting; and not as funny as another literal answer to a math problem:

[xocet]

145. You bring up the interesting point...

that (integer) 3 is an equivalence class - (m,n) where m-n = 3.

If every different expression that is equal to three is allowed as an answer, what type of infinity is being discussed? Countable, Uncountable, ... ?

Do you happen to know the answer? Off hand, I don't, but it seems like a countable infinity would be too small...

[muriel_volestrangler]

149. Types of infinity were about the point my brain started hurting in maths

and which convinced me I shouldn't try to study it at university, so I'm afraid I can't help you there. But since there are many (infinite?) operations as well as infinite numbers you can put into the numbers, perhaps it is uncountable.

[djean111]

75. 6

Just a simple progression, 7x8, 6x7, 5x6, etc.

[kristopher]

76. 14

14+(2x3)=20
20+(2X5)=30
30+(2x6)=42
42+(2x7)=56
56+(2x8)=72

[muriel_volestrangler]

107. But you haven't used the 9 in the top line

You've calculated the '72' from all the numbers on the left below it, but ignored the '9' entirely. Not as elegant as just using the number on the left of each '=' to get the number on the right (ie the 'n=n(n-1)' formula most have used), I think.

[kristopher]

135. I also haven't added to the presented pattern

There is no 4 in the pattern. You can infer it, but strictly speaking without it the other answers lack symmetry. This is a code, and the "=" does not have the same function as it would in a math equation.

ETA: Forgot to address the 9. That is only used to continue the pattern to 10=90.
72+(2X9)=90

[muriel_volestrangler]

136. It doesn't need to be a strict sequence to show a pattern

so a '4=12' line is unnecessary. I agree that it's a code, and '=' does not have the function it would in an equation; but, in fact, by putting it in your form, you make it less of a code. If it's a code, we can say "the '=' sign means 'multiplied by the number one less than itself is'". Your interpretation means you have to use each number on the right in 2 statements.

[kristopher]

137. I recognize that you don't require the entire sequence

But you also do not need to place a gap in the sequence. Also, your answer could be obtained with confidence from only 2 samples.
Yes it means you have to use the number in two statements - that is what turns it into a definitive pattern.

[kristopher]

138. Another point to consider

If this were to be used in a code, remember that the idea is to disguise the information. The sender and receiver have the key, but those possibly intercepting the code must derive the meaning without the cipher.

Which answer accomplishes that?

[muriel_volestrangler]

139. Codes don't have to disguise information

Think, for instance, of ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A cipher is always meant to disguise.

[kristopher]

143. They don't 'have to', but that is the traditional function - especially in puzzles.

Like many problems, it isn't defined well enough to have a single unambiguous answer. I maintain, however, that 14 is the most symmetrical solution.

[sofa king]

77. Wrong!

4 * 3 = 12

3 * 2 = 6

Hahaha. My first guess is always wrong.

[morningfog]

78. 6, pretty easy.

Taken further, 2=2, 1=0.

[RedCappedBandit]

79. Yeah, I got six as well

[immoderate]

80. Put me down for 6 -- which is the answer.

--imm

[SidDithers]

81. Answer is 6...nt

Sid

[dipsydoodle]

82. Six

What's with the genius bit ?

[DuckBurp]

85. 6

[Uzair]

86. I am the ONLY GENIUS here. The Answer is 24. Here is why.

If the numbers on the left side of each equal sign progressed from 9 to 3, as in 9,8,7,6,5,4,3, this answer wouldn't work. However, they "skip" the 4 because the sequence 8,7,6,5 ends at 5. That's why that sequence is colored BLUE. The pattern in the BLUE sequence of numbers is what everybody in this thread is saying: left number "equals" left number minus 1 multiplied by left number.

Also, those who are saying that the equals sign is always an equals sign and therefore "3=3" is the answer are missing the point that every single other "equation" evaluates to "false". If you want to be logical about it, then, you would say your answer is 3 "equals" anything OTHER than 3.

Now, the red "equations" are an entirely different sequence. That's why they're colored red. There is NO REASON to color the "3=??" one red other than to distinguish it from the fact that it is completely UNREALTED to the blue ones and paired up with the only OTHER red one: The "9=72" one. Coloring "3=??" red makes it clear that there is no "skipping" of the 4.

Thus we only have two "equations" to work with.

9=72
3=??

The only relationship between numbers that we have to work with are 9 and 72,
Now 9 times 8 equals 72.
Therefore 3 times 8 equals 24.

But why multiply by 8? Because if we're going to assume that this is a sequence with some kind of logic behind it, then this makes both of these terms, namely term 3 and term 9, related only with whatever relationship we can find between 9 and 3. The relationship between 9 and 3 must also agree with our previous answer, though, when applied to the number 72.

Notice that 9 divided by 3 equals 3: Therefore 72 divided by 3 equals 24. Again, we arrive at 24.

QED.

[fried eggs]

87. You might be right

but I don't think the graphic provides enough information to solve the problem. Every answer requires making assumptions that are not explicitly stated. 6 assumes the author left out the 4 to trick us; 9 assumes the author didn't intend for the left side to follow a sequence; and 24 assumes the colors are intentionally different. So I guess we'll never really know. lol

[Tx4obama]

88. What do you mean WE'LL NEVER KNOW? Don't you have the answer?

[DCBob]

108. Hey egghead... there better be an answer..

or was this just entirely a game?

Fun regardless...

[hughee99]

89. By roughly the same logic, why not 21?

The only difference being that the for the red equations, the answer on the left is the sum of the digits on the right?

9=72 (9=7+2)
3=21 (3=2+1)

I guess this solution would also leave the question, though, of why wouldn't "12" be a correct answer

If this problem is asking people to look for patterns and apply them to find an answer, a number of different patters can be found leading to a number of different answers without more information.

[Tikki]

92. Also, 21...

red descending from the blue pattern above...just a thought.


Tikki

[Uzair]

116. There's no reason to assume that, though (nt)

[Tikki]

121. OMG..you are my Philosophy Professor...come back to haunt me...:)

Tikki

[Tx4obama]

97. I just want to say that on this thread I was the first to say: 21

See Comment #64: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022968160#post64

[hughee99]

102. I didn't notice before, but you did beat me to it.

I see we both came up with different reasons too.

[Uzair]

115. You answered your own question

My solution is found in two different ways with no ambiguity.

If the pattern is "sum of the digits", then you're lead to an ambiguous solution. It can be EITHER 12 or 21, there's no way to know. The same thing goes for people saying it's 6 or 9, "depending on"... If you have an ambiguous solution, you don't have the solution.

[muriel_volestrangler]

117. Do you seriously think your 'solution' is not only unambiguous, but actually 'better'

than the straightforward '6' answer? And that it's "found in two different ways"?

[hughee99]

130. Yes, but since we're already assuming so many things not stated

All I have to do is assume the larger number comes first. 7-2 and 2-1. Now it's not ambiguous anymore.

[sibelian]

114. The logic behind your solution is as good as any other.

I think you're quite good at this sort of thing.

[cherokeeprogressive]

90. The ANSWER is THERE ARE NUMEROUS CORRECT ANSWERS.

[Rowdyboy]

91. Totally took me in...Wish I'd seen it earlier. We had guests that I would love to have skunked

Thanks

[LostOne4Ever]

93. The solution

to life, the universe, and everything was already disclosed by Douglas Adams as 42.

Therefore 7 is the question.

As for the pattern? 6.

[Ligyron]

113. the solution is color. Red. therefore 14

[Coyotl]

94. three equals three, of course.

[Rex]

95. 87

.

[Demo_Chris]

96. 12

[liberal_at_heart]

98. 12?

[burnodo]

118. oops! didn't see the step

should be 6

[Egalitarian Thug]

100. Apparently, not drooling is the only remaining qualification for being a "genius" anymore. n/t

[Petrushka]

101. 6

4 = 12
3 = 6

[pansypoo53219]

103. NO WANT!

[lob1]

104. Number Six, like the Prisoner.

[Recursion]

112. Ambiguous. 3, 6, or something else

If the invisible functor is stateful, it could be anything, though 9 is attractive.

If it's stateless, it's 6.

If there is no invisible functor and the sentences at the top are false, it's 3

[socialist_n_TN]

119. Math (or arithmetic) was never my best subject, BUT....

I'd say 6. All of these numbers on the right side are the product of the number on the left multiplied by the next number down, i.e., 9x8=72, 8x7=56, etc.) Ergo, the last one would be 3x2=6. So the answer would be 6.

[krispos42]

120. 6

4 should be 12, 3 should be 6

[lame54]

122. 6

[MineralMan]

123. Since the series is broken, and because 9 and 3 are

differentiated by having the same, different color. I use the red formula, which is x*8=y and arrive at 24 as the answer. Were it not for the color difference, I would assume the series x*(x-1) = y and say 6.

But, due to the color difference, 9 and 3 are marked as not part of the series. The missing 4=12 further indicates that it is not the series we are looking at but the red colored numbers.

However, since the equation itself is invalid as presented, I would be annoyed at the question and would refuse to answer, which is the correct answer, really.

On Error Resume Next
If color = red Then y = x*(x-1)
Elseif color = blue Then y = x*8
Endif
End

[Tikki]

126. For the right-brained among us.."If 6 turned out to be 9" and "7 and 7 is"...

:}


Tikki

[MineralMan]

127. And for the ambidextrous among us, yes.

[RudynJack]

131. without reading the responses...

I got 6.

9x8
7x6
6x5
5x4
3x2 = 6

[TeeYiYi]

132. 6

TYY

[WinkyDink]

133. 6, for Pete's sake. Every number is multiplied by its predecessor (9X8; 8X7; 7X6; ....)

The missing one is:

4 = 12. (4X3)

[shawn703]

140. I go for 6

Looks to be x * (x-1) for each number.

[Phillip McCleod]

141. i know the answer you want & there was arithmetic..

.. but this is not a math quiz.

Dead giveaway?

9 Does not equal 72. Ever. If it was a math quiz you'd use the function map arrow.

[davekriss]

142. 6

[tblue37]

144. 6?

ON EDIT: Because the product in each of these equations is always the answer you get when you multiply the multiplicand by a multiplier that is one less than itself:

a x (a-1) = b

3 x (3-1) = 6

[TreasonousBastard]

147. There is, of course, no right answer and the psychology types here should...

recognize this as one of those tests which doesn't look for a correct answer, but for your approach to an answer. Dunno if people are still using this stuff in job interviews, but it is interesting.

"5=20" is meaningless except as a definition, and we're not told what is being defined and where the definition is being used. It could e part of some odd computer code where that sort of identity is common but usually using more sensible variables.

So, I jumped on 6, simplistically using the x-1 thing and that is one acceptable answer. However, it is simplistic and obvious and those of us using it are on the low end. Others, coming up with other rational and more elegant solutions are also "correct" but show more creativity in their answers.

If I were using this as a hiring tool, I'd put those who answered "6" in one "acceptable" pile, but some of the other answers might go into the "callback" pile.

(While fully understanding, however, that brilliant flights of fancy often get in the way of actually doing the job.)

[denbot]

150. What happened to agent Mike?

Did he view one too many kitty videos, and go all granola on the bureau?

[Atman]

151. Benghazi.

[aquart]

152. 6. Sneaky to leave out the four.

[VOX]

153. Not possible, insufficient info available. IF color matters, 24. Or 6. Or ???

The sequencing does not specify if the differing colors of red and blue have any bearing on the actual calculation. If not, the answer would be 6...but that can't be said for certain.

If color does matter, 24 would be a reasonable guess, if the "invisible" value 8
in the single other red equation of 9 [x8] =72 applies to all other red equations. But that's unknown as well -- there are only two red equations visible -- not enough info to establish any pattern...the answer to 3=??? could really be anything.

[Dash87]

154. The correct answer is threeve, Alex

[demwing]

156. Easy Breezy

1(*0)=0
2(*1)=2
3(*2)=6
4(*3)=12
5(*4)=20
6(*5)=30
7(*6)=42
8(*7)=56
9(*8)=72
10(*9)=90

etc

[11 Bravo]

158. 6 (The factors that aren't shown decrease by one sequentially.) 4(x3)=12 and 3(x2)=6

[gbloncourt]

159. The correct answer is 9

We have to consider each line number...
number x 3+number x line# =....
Line 5: 9*3+9*5 = 72
Line 4: 8*3+8*4 = 56
Line 3: 7*3+7*3 = 42
Line 2: 6*3+6*2 = 30
Line 1: 5*3+5*1 = 20
Line 0: 3*3+3*0 = 9

[NRaleighLiberal]

160. 6. n/t

[cyberswede]

161. I get 6...

But I'm definitely no genius.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

162. the next multiplier would be three. Making the answer Nine.

[Mr_Calculus]

163. The answer is NOT patterns, per se...

It is actually an equation, f(x)=x^2-x (x squared minus x) ; or, if factored-out: f(x)= x-1)

ALL of the pattern suggestions are WRONG!

The correct answer, like it, or not, is: 6

f(8)=8*8-8=56
f(7)=7*7-7=42
f(6)=6*6-6=30
f(5)=5*5-5=20
f(3)=3*3-3=6


It is NOT that this took a "genius", it's more than one had to go back and re-visit how to generate an equation for ALGEBRA!

You're welcome!

[gopiscrap]

164. welcome to du