Author Topic: a puzzler  (Read 2011 times)

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Online ledtesterTopic starter

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a puzzler
« on: January 02, 2021, 07:16:55 am »
Here are a bunch of equations to "solve":

b + c = 1
a + b + c = 7
b + c + f + g = 4
a + b + c + d + g = 3
a + b + e + d + g = 2

Of course, this is an underdetermined system, so if you think you have the answer, in order not to spoil it for others just reply with a new equation these variables satisfy - there are several more of them.

In approaching this problem my only suggestion is to not be led astray by conventional thinking. To solve the puzzle you'll have to display some ingenuity and out-of-the box thinking. I'm sure the answer will be more obvious to some segments of EE community than others but everyone regardless of their background should be able to get it.

 
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Offline capt bullshot

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2021, 09:35:22 am »
Cool ;)
Took my a few seconds after reading your text, otherwise I'd just passed it.
Won't spoil the answer yet.
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Offline pardo-bsso

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2021, 07:16:09 pm »
Nice quiz.

Last night I was doing a script to create something like this for an old set top box.
 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2021, 07:37:43 pm »
e + f + g = 8
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Offline Picuino

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2021, 08:03:58 pm »
[1]  b + c = 1
[2]  a + b + c = 7
[3]  b + c + f + g = 4
[4]  a + b + c + d + g = 3
[5]  a + b + e + d + g = 2


[2] - [1] -> a = 6
[3] - [1] -> f + g = 3
[4] - [1] -> 6 + d + g = 2  ->  d + g  = -4
[5] -> 6 + b + e + d + g = 1  -> b + e + d + g  = -5

Combining last 2 equations
b + e  = -1

[6]  a = 6
[7] b + c = 1
[8]  f + g = 3
[9] d + g = -4
[10]  b + e = -1
 
[7] + [8] - [9] - [10] = c - d - e + f = 9



Answer ^^^ in white color and 3pt size. Copy and paste on notepad.
« Last Edit: January 02, 2021, 08:45:04 pm by Picuino »
 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2021, 08:12:05 pm »
Copy and paste on notepad.

Or just click 'quote'  ;)


Interesting, I have another zero...
« Last Edit: January 02, 2021, 08:16:14 pm by PA0PBZ »
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Offline mathsquid

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2021, 08:19:55 pm »
I'm not getting the puzzle aspect of this. Do the variable names have some deeper meaning? Otherwise I just see a plane of solutions in R^7.
 
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Offline Cyberdragon

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2021, 06:50:43 am »
a^n+b^n=c^n where n>2

 >:D
*BZZZZZZAAAAAP*
Voltamort strikes again!
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Online ledtesterTopic starter

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2021, 10:51:32 am »
Quote
Last night I was doing a script to create something like this for an old set top box.
Yes, I can see how these equations would be pertinent for an *old* set top box.

Quote
I'm not getting the puzzle aspect of this. Do the variable names have some deeper meaning? Otherwise I just see a plane of solutions in R^7.

Well, clearly this is not a formal math problem. Tangentially related to calculators, though.

Quote
e + f + g = 8

Not quite, but here's another equation: a + c + d + f + g = 5.

 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2021, 11:13:06 am »
Given only the data in the first post there are multiple solutions, for one of those e + f + g = 8 is valid.
I could post this solution if it would not spoil the thread.
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Offline lycralout

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2021, 11:53:45 am »
b + c + d + e + g = 13
 

Offline AndyC_772

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2021, 12:18:15 pm »
I've got it :)

a + b + c + f = 7, sometimes.
 
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Offline capt bullshot

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2021, 01:02:53 pm »
Ok, this was my solution:
Safety devices hinder evolution
 
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Online ledtesterTopic starter

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2021, 07:01:00 pm »
b + c + d + e + g = 13

Yes, the original problem used upper case variable names, but I chose lower case so you also write "= d", etc. for more letters.

« Last Edit: January 03, 2021, 07:21:40 pm by ledtester »
 

Online ledtesterTopic starter

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2021, 11:38:44 pm »
I really tried to give a lot of hints:

Quote
In approaching this problem my only suggestion is to not be led astray by conventional thinking. To solve the puzzle you'll have to display some ingenuity and out-of-the box thinking. I'm sure the answer will be more obvious to some segments of EE community than others but everyone regardless of their background should be able to get it.
 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: a puzzler
« Reply #15 on: January 04, 2021, 08:33:51 am »
Yeah, after knowing the answer I reread that and then it was obvious - as always  ;)
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