#11 is unfairly difficult.

Alnyus · 11-24-2007, 02:33 PM

nevermind

***Jamul*** · 11-24-2007, 03:11 PM

It's not a math problem, it's a puzzle. It's definitely not intended to reach a result simply by manipulating numbers. You will need to obtain more information to arrive at the right answer - as you did! Congratulations!

Alnyus · 11-24-2007, 06:04 PM

That's not the problem. The problem is that (1) the puzzle is very American-oriented, so that non-American players, such as I, have a more difficult time with it, and can get stuck on a dead-end "solution" without any indication that it is not the preferred solution; and that (2) the equations have more than one solution, which makes it possible that a solution can be found that nevertheless does not point in the direction of the answer to the puzzle.

Try it. Insert that first SOMETHING into the equations and solve them. You'll see what I was talking about.

All that needs to be done is to change the equations a bit so that there is only one set of possible solutions.

Also, why were what I talked about considered "spoilers"? The puzzle explicitly says "got your number" and "who is dialing the phone".

***Jamul*** · 11-24-2007, 06:16 PM

No, I understand that the math has multiple possible solutions. But everyone, like you did, can find alternate information to reach the result. I've always known the math had other ways to be solved (one solution is all 0's!). Again, it's a puzzle and not just math. In the worst case, someone would find both of your proposed math solutions and google them both, finding the answer. It is in the end one of the easier puzzles.

Alnyus · 11-24-2007, 06:29 PM

Alright then; sorry for bothering you. Thanks for the replies.

***Jamul*** · 11-24-2007, 06:36 PM

It's not a bother, I was just explaining why the multiple solutions do not break the puzzle (in my opinion!).

LukeGT · 01-18-2008, 09:33 PM

I'm lost, I solved the equations (well at least one of the solutions), I googled the number, both forwards and backwards, and got nothing of significance. I'm not an American player, so could someone perhaps tell me why Americans have an advantage without spoiling anything too much? Thanks

LukeGT · 01-18-2008, 09:47 PM

Never mind I got it. And I didn't even use my solution to the equations...all I needed to know was that if you grew up in the 80's you could get it really easy...

11-24-2007, 03:11 PM	#2
*Jamul* Marshmallow Head The Boss Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Anza, CA Posts: 6,183	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. It's not a math problem, it's a puzzle. It's definitely not intended to reach a result simply by manipulating numbers. You will need to obtain more information to arrive at the right answer - as you did! Congratulations! __________________

11-24-2007, 06:04 PM	#3
Alnyus Puny Mortal Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. That's not the problem. The problem is that (1) the puzzle is very American-oriented, so that non-American players, such as I, have a more difficult time with it, and can get stuck on a dead-end "solution" without any indication that it is not the preferred solution; and that (2) the equations have more than one solution, which makes it possible that a solution can be found that nevertheless does not point in the direction of the answer to the puzzle. Try it. Insert that first SOMETHING into the equations and solve them. You'll see what I was talking about. All that needs to be done is to change the equations a bit so that there is only one set of possible solutions. Also, why were what I talked about considered "spoilers"? The puzzle explicitly says "got your number" and "who is dialing the phone". Last edited by Alnyus; 11-24-2007 at 06:13 PM.

11-24-2007, 06:16 PM	#4
*Jamul* Marshmallow Head The Boss Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Anza, CA Posts: 6,183	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. No, I understand that the math has multiple possible solutions. But everyone, like you did, can find alternate information to reach the result. I've always known the math had other ways to be solved (one solution is all 0's!). Again, it's a puzzle and not just math. In the worst case, someone would find both of your proposed math solutions and google them both, finding the answer. It is in the end one of the easier puzzles. __________________

11-24-2007, 06:29 PM	#5
Alnyus Puny Mortal Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. Alright then; sorry for bothering you. Thanks for the replies. Last edited by Alnyus; 11-24-2007 at 06:32 PM.

11-24-2007, 06:36 PM	#6
*Jamul* Marshmallow Head The Boss Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Anza, CA Posts: 6,183	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. It's not a bother, I was just explaining why the multiple solutions do not break the puzzle (in my opinion!). __________________

11-24-2007, 02:33 PM	#1
Alnyus Puny Mortal Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	#11 is unfairly difficult. nevermind Last edited by Alnyus; 11-24-2007 at 06:49 PM.

01-18-2008, 09:33 PM	#7
LukeGT Less Puny Mortal Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. I'm lost, I solved the equations (well at least one of the solutions), I googled the number, both forwards and backwards, and got nothing of significance. I'm not an American player, so could someone perhaps tell me why Americans have an advantage without spoiling anything too much? Thanks

01-18-2008, 09:47 PM	#8
LukeGT Less Puny Mortal Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7	Re: #11 is unfairly difficult. Never mind I got it. And I didn't even use my solution to the equations...all I needed to know was that if you grew up in the 80's you could get it really easy...

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