Shall we setup a really simple game for everyone to play?
I'll post a puzzle / brain teaser / trick question type dealy to start it off.
If you know the answer - post it.
But you only post the answer if you are prepared to add a brain teaser of your own to keep the game going.
Right - easy one to start.
Place parentheses where needed to make this equation true:
2 + 2 x 2 - 2/2 = 7
Full Version: Forums Game - Puzzles and Brain Teasers
So Mat,
Can't sleep?
Loz
Can't sleep?
Loz
[quote][i]Originally posted by Loz[/i]
So Mat,
Can't sleep?
Loz[/quote]
sleep is for.... people who aren't spending the night preparing the work they should be doing tomorrow, on the basis that they won't be able to do it tomorrow, because they know they will be spending all day talking about working - rather than actually working.
You know what I mean mate (what we were talking about in Gold)!
Ah well - finish off it a bit, then go and belly up at the trough.
So Mat,
Can't sleep?
Loz[/quote]
sleep is for.... people who aren't spending the night preparing the work they should be doing tomorrow, on the basis that they won't be able to do it tomorrow, because they know they will be spending all day talking about working - rather than actually working.
You know what I mean mate (what we were talking about in Gold)!
Ah well - finish off it a bit, then go and belly up at the trough.
[quote][i]Originally posted by Loz[/i]
So Mat,
Can't sleep?
Loz[/quote]
ahem Loz
can't answer the question?
:tumble::tumble::tumble:
So Mat,
Can't sleep?
Loz[/quote]
ahem Loz
can't answer the question?
:tumble::tumble::tumble:
why not do te main quiz and try and win the HMV vouchers... If you can answer all the questions on every level I will send you some nice vouchers
2 + 2 x 2 - (2/2) = 7
I think that that is the answer. Here goes my teaser:
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:
I think that that is the answer. Here goes my teaser:
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:
[quote][i]Originally posted by realbigman[/i]
2 + 2 x 2 - (2/2) = 7
I think that that is the answer. Here goes my teaser:
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:[/quote]
Sorry mate - your answer equals 5!!
2 + 2 x 2 - (2/2) = 7
I think that that is the answer. Here goes my teaser:
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:[/quote]
Sorry mate - your answer equals 5!!
(2+2)*2-2/2 should do it.
Do I get to set a question now?
Do I get to set a question now?
Go for it
OK - another (relatively) easy one to keep the ball rolling... hopefully not many of you have seen this one.
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.
[quote][i]Originally posted by realbigman[/i]
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:[/quote]
99 students?
Jane is the 50th best and the 50th worst student in her class. How many students in her class? :?:[/quote]
99 students?
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.[/quote]
Is it you just flick all three switches, two don't do anything and one turns the light on?
Or the question more complex? Can you only flick one switch?
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.[/quote]
Is it you just flick all three switches, two don't do anything and one turns the light on?
Or the question more complex? Can you only flick one switch?
I think the question was WHICH switch does the biz
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.[/quote]
OK then ..... how about
Stand in the third floor room.
Flick switch 1 on.
Leave it on for half an hour.
Turn it off and flick switch 2.
Run down to the basement.
If the light is ON - switch 2 is correct.
If it is OFF - then check if the bulb is hot.
If the bulb is hot, then switch 1 is the right answer.
If it is not hot, then switch 3 is the right answer.
I reckon that is right - so will make new post with the next teaser shortly.
You have 3 switches in a room on the 3rd floor. 2 of the switches do nothing, the other one operates a (fully working) lightbulb in the basement. From the room on the 3rd floor you cannot see the light in the basement.
In ONE TRIP ONLY how can you tell - with 100% certainty - which switch from the 3 operates the light in the basement.[/quote]
OK then ..... how about
Stand in the third floor room.
Flick switch 1 on.
Leave it on for half an hour.
Turn it off and flick switch 2.
Run down to the basement.
If the light is ON - switch 2 is correct.
If it is OFF - then check if the bulb is hot.
If the bulb is hot, then switch 1 is the right answer.
If it is not hot, then switch 3 is the right answer.
I reckon that is right - so will make new post with the next teaser shortly.
in 1978 of the time 26 minutes to one in the afternoon, on the 5th of June?
12:34 5/6/78 - sequential numbers!
well done!!
Where's your puzzle though?
Where's your puzzle though?
Darn - I knew there was a reason not to answer...... errrrr - who am I?
Temp isn't me, I am usually here under another name.
A Ray of Light.
A Lexus driver who is better known for not driving a Lexus.
Perhaps too easy - but not playing......
Temp isn't me, I am usually here under another name.
A Ray of Light.
A Lexus driver who is better known for not driving a Lexus.
Perhaps too easy - but not playing......
[quote][i]Originally posted by Temp[/i]
Darn - I knew there was a reason not to answer...... errrrr - who am I?
Temp isn't me, I am usually here under another name.
A Ray of Light.
A Lexus driver who is better known for not driving a Lexus.
Perhaps too easy - but not playing......[/quote]
Are you Red?
Darn - I knew there was a reason not to answer...... errrrr - who am I?
Temp isn't me, I am usually here under another name.
A Ray of Light.
A Lexus driver who is better known for not driving a Lexus.
Perhaps too easy - but not playing......[/quote]
Are you Red?
Heehee
[quote][i]Originally posted by UltraViolet[/i]
Heehee[/quote]
doh - wrong.
come on UV - lets be having your puzzle
Heehee[/quote]
doh - wrong.
come on UV - lets be having your puzzle
I'll set another - bit of an old one though.
Three men checked into a hotel room for which they paid £30.
The next day, the manager realized that the men had been overcharged. She gave the bellhop £5 to return to the three men.
On the way to their room the bellhop decided to keep £2 for himself, and give each of the three men one pound.
The three men had now paid £9 each, or a total of £27.
This plus the £2 the bellhop kept makes a total of £29.
What happened to the other pound?
Three men checked into a hotel room for which they paid £30.
The next day, the manager realized that the men had been overcharged. She gave the bellhop £5 to return to the three men.
On the way to their room the bellhop decided to keep £2 for himself, and give each of the three men one pound.
The three men had now paid £9 each, or a total of £27.
This plus the £2 the bellhop kept makes a total of £29.
What happened to the other pound?
Matt - nice one on the lightbulb problem.
To answer yours: it's evilly deceptive maths - the bellhop should minus the £2, not add it; hence £27-£2=£25 rather than £27
(Each man paid £9 for a total of £27. Of that £27, £2 went to the bell boy, £25 went to the hotel.
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?
To answer yours: it's evilly deceptive maths - the bellhop should minus the £2, not add it; hence £27-£2=£25 rather than £27
(Each man paid £9 for a total of £27. Of that £27, £2 went to the bell boy, £25 went to the hotel.
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?[/quote]
have you farted and it smells like Sprouts?
:smug:
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?[/quote]
have you farted and it smells like Sprouts?
:smug:
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?[/quote]
struggling on this one mate - if it isn't a case that it is only the celing that has no cracks, doors windows etc - then give us a clue?
OK, this one's a bit crap, but I couldn't think of any other ones that don't involve a picture:
You wake up and you are in a room with concrete walls, floor and ceiling with no cracks, doors, windows or vents. Yet you can smell food which is not in the room - where how is the smell getting in?[/quote]
struggling on this one mate - if it isn't a case that it is only the celing that has no cracks, doors windows etc - then give us a clue?
Difficult to give a hint without giving it away...
concentrate on:
"no cracks, doors, windows, or vents"
or if I rearrange it as:
"no doors, windows, vents, or cracks"
concentrate on:
"no cracks, doors, windows, or vents"
or if I rearrange it as:
"no doors, windows, vents, or cracks"
Try this one
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
Try this one
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?[/quote]
This is a bit more up my street Rod.
123 - 45 - 67 + 89 = 100
:bounce:
Will refrain from posting my new one until tomorrow some point.
I think Div's needs to stand - got me scratchin' my head at the moment.
Try this one
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?[/quote]
This is a bit more up my street Rod.
123 - 45 - 67 + 89 = 100
:bounce:
Will refrain from posting my new one until tomorrow some point.
I think Div's needs to stand - got me scratchin' my head at the moment.
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
Difficult to give a hint without giving it away...
concentrate on:
"no cracks, doors, windows, or vents"
or if I rearrange it as:
"no doors, windows, vents, or cracks"[/quote]
I assume all open - so nothing to stop smells getting to you. :?:
Difficult to give a hint without giving it away...
concentrate on:
"no cracks, doors, windows, or vents"
or if I rearrange it as:
"no doors, windows, vents, or cracks"[/quote]
I assume all open - so nothing to stop smells getting to you. :?:
Correct - there ARE no doors, windows or vents - just spaces where they should be.
[quote][i]Originally posted by Matthew_McNally[/i]
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
Try this one
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?[/quote]
This is a bit more up my street Rod.
123 - 45 - 67 + 89 = 100
:bounce:
Will refrain from posting my new one until tomorrow some point.
I think Div's needs to stand - got me scratchin' my head at the moment. [/quote]
Well done Matt!
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
Try this one
There is only 1 way to use 7 plus or minus signs in between the digits 1-9, in order, to make the following correct:
1 +2 +3 - 4 +5 + 6 +78 + 9 = 100
What is the way to do it with ONLY 3 plus or minus signs?[/quote]
This is a bit more up my street Rod.
123 - 45 - 67 + 89 = 100
:bounce:
Will refrain from posting my new one until tomorrow some point.
I think Div's needs to stand - got me scratchin' my head at the moment. [/quote]
Well done Matt!
[quote][i]Originally posted by Div[/i]
Correct - there ARE no doors, windows or vents - just spaces where they should be.
[/quote]
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
as you can probably tell - I prefer the more logical type puzzles.
Still... good one Div!
Correct - there ARE no doors, windows or vents - just spaces where they should be.
[/quote]DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
DOH!!!!!!
as you can probably tell - I prefer the more logical type puzzles.
Still... good one Div!
Old one I know.
Using
a tap
a three pint container and
a five pint container,
can you measure exactly 4 pints?
Using
a tap
a three pint container and
a five pint container,
can you measure exactly 4 pints?
OK:
1. Fill the 3-pint container and empty it into the 5-pint container.
2. Fill the 3-pint container again and fill the 5-pint container.
This leaves you with 1-pint in the 3-pint container.
3. Empty the 5-pint container.
4. Now empty the 3-pint container (which only contains 1-pint) into the 5-pint container.
5. Fill up the 3-pint container again and add it to the 1 pint that's already in the 5-pint container, giving you 4 pints.
Ok, here's one that get's me in stiches - especially if you tell it whilst slightly tipsey!:
If the day before two days after the day before tomorrow is Monday, what day is today?
1. Fill the 3-pint container and empty it into the 5-pint container.
2. Fill the 3-pint container again and fill the 5-pint container.
This leaves you with 1-pint in the 3-pint container.
3. Empty the 5-pint container.
4. Now empty the 3-pint container (which only contains 1-pint) into the 5-pint container.
5. Fill up the 3-pint container again and add it to the 1 pint that's already in the 5-pint container, giving you 4 pints.
Ok, here's one that get's me in stiches - especially if you tell it whilst slightly tipsey!:
If the day before two days after the day before tomorrow is Monday, what day is today?
Friday?
or at least it is on the day I posted this.
or at least it is on the day I posted this.
To be honest I don't actually know the answer 
- However I do not think that today's day is the correct answer.
- However I do not think that today's day is the correct answer.
Sunday
You are imprisoned in a prison cell.
This cell is fifty foot tall - but is on top of a 105 foot tower.
You have managed to get the bars off the windows - but still have to worry about that drop!
Luckly, in the ceiling of your fifty foot tall cell are two rings, about a foot apart.
Fifty foot of rope hangs from each of these rings.
Now, the confinement in prison has weakened your bones - so you really can't fall more thana few feet without risking serious injury.
But luckly there is nothing wrong with your climbing ability. :smilegrin:
Armed only with your trusty pocket knife, how can manage to cut enough rope to allow you to safely descend from the tower?
This cell is fifty foot tall - but is on top of a 105 foot tower.
You have managed to get the bars off the windows - but still have to worry about that drop!
Luckly, in the ceiling of your fifty foot tall cell are two rings, about a foot apart.
Fifty foot of rope hangs from each of these rings.
Now, the confinement in prison has weakened your bones - so you really can't fall more thana few feet without risking serious injury.
But luckly there is nothing wrong with your climbing ability. :smilegrin:
Armed only with your trusty pocket knife, how can manage to cut enough rope to allow you to safely descend from the tower?
Cut down one of the ropes and hang it over your shoulder.
Climb down the other rope until you are standing on top of the tower.
Then cut that rope as high as you can reach.
Tie the two ropes that you know have together.
Tie the newly joined rope to the tower.
Climb down the rope.
Climb down the other rope until you are standing on top of the tower.
Then cut that rope as high as you can reach.
Tie the two ropes that you know have together.
Tie the newly joined rope to the tower.
Climb down the rope.
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
Cut down one of the ropes and hang it over your shoulder.
Climb down the other rope until you are standing on top of the tower.
Then cut that rope as high as you can reach.
Tie the two ropes that you know have together.
Tie the newly joined rope to the tower.
Climb down the rope.[/quote]
Sorry Rod - but the ropes are hanging from a fifty foot high ceiling.
Will look at revising puzzle to make sure this is clear.
Cut down one of the ropes and hang it over your shoulder.
Climb down the other rope until you are standing on top of the tower.
Then cut that rope as high as you can reach.
Tie the two ropes that you know have together.
Tie the newly joined rope to the tower.
Climb down the rope.[/quote]
Sorry Rod - but the ropes are hanging from a fifty foot high ceiling.
Will look at revising puzzle to make sure this is clear.
okay okay, so you do as I said AFTER you've climbed up one rope to cut the other rope down from the top
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
okay okay, so you do as I said AFTER you've climbed up one rope to cut the other rope down from the top[/quote]
still don't think that will cut it Rod - sorry.
You get 50 foot over your shoulder and climb down?
Then cut the next rope as high as you can reach - say 10 feet?
This gives you sixty feet, and you are facing a 105 foot drop!
okay okay, so you do as I said AFTER you've climbed up one rope to cut the other rope down from the top[/quote]
still don't think that will cut it Rod - sorry.
You get 50 foot over your shoulder and climb down?
Then cut the next rope as high as you can reach - say 10 feet?
This gives you sixty feet, and you are facing a 105 foot drop!
OK - I think I got this one nailed - You unthread it and weave the rope into an overly elaborate parachute?
OK - I think I got this one nailed - You unthread it and weave the rope into an overly elaborate parachute?
[quote][i]Originally posted by Matthew_McNally[/i]
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
okay okay, so you do as I said AFTER you've climbed up one rope to cut the other rope down from the top[/quote]
still don't think that will cut it Rod - sorry.
You get 50 foot over your shoulder and climb down?
Then cut the next rope as high as you can reach - say 10 feet?
This gives you sixty feet, and you are facing a 105 foot drop!
[/quote]
Oh I don't flippin know then - these lateral puzzles give me a headache - I think I'm gonna have to claim a refund on my Mensa subbies.
[quote][i]Originally posted by Rodders_UK[/i]
okay okay, so you do as I said AFTER you've climbed up one rope to cut the other rope down from the top[/quote]
still don't think that will cut it Rod - sorry.
You get 50 foot over your shoulder and climb down?
Then cut the next rope as high as you can reach - say 10 feet?
This gives you sixty feet, and you are facing a 105 foot drop!
[/quote]Oh I don't flippin know then - these lateral puzzles give me a headache - I think I'm gonna have to claim a refund on my Mensa subbies.
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