On 2016-02-24 11:39:33 jimbo_duino said:
I'd question any (reputable maths or science) Prof actually posing a question in the form "8=56", since they're not....

I think you may be the closest to the answer on this entire matter.

All of the data consists of false statements and does not require to solve for ?. So the actual answer if you apply the true principles of mathematics will be 3=3 which is the only factual statement here. If you continue with the line of untrue statements then 3 = anything but 3.

That would take into account the black and white of the problem. If you assume that there is a logical sequence and apply an equation to solve for x then you should really be applying the same equation to both sides of the = sign......i think thats the most clinical way to solve this one

You guys still at this???

Lol!!! Ja kinda getting tired now huh ? But theres so many possible answers although the last post seems the closest....to me anyway

Lol!!! Ja kinda getting tired now huh ? But theres so many possible answers although the last post seems the closest....to me anyway

On 2016-02-24 13:44:09 yankee23a said:

All of the data consists of false statements and does not require to solve for ?.

Well I reckon there's an implicit "solve for" with the thing not posed by a real maths guy.

I'd pose it thus:

Given
f(8) = 56
f(7) = 42
etc,

determine f(3).


And since it's clear that f(n) = n(n-1),

f(3) = 6

Jimbo, looks like you're the shortest period out of the benches!
'Course it is.
But, you slim ding, you brought in N, n & f , and thrust me this will confuse a few here.
Maybe you want to help Yankee with his "If you assume that there is a logical sequence and apply an equation to solve for x then you should really be applying the same equation to both sides of the = sign......i think thats the most clinical way to solve this one" ? You see, he's still not convinced ;-)

It surprises me that Ben's absent now, but maybe he's a nightowl, he'll only loer in after sunset...

"You guys still at this???"
Wickedness yes, this stuff's wicked hey, like!
(Add Capetonian aksent hierso ek se ;-)

"Is the answer 6?"
Yes Robbymajor, but then again you knew that already, you got a major in Math.
Oh wait no, you'd not have to ask ;-)

"Which came first into the world the chicken or egg ?"
Oww Samdid2, easy-peasy.... the Cock!
No chicks will hatch without a good rogering first ya see, it's what this website boils down to after all. Mind though, the other answer (seems a popular thing suddenly, multiple-guessing) may be 'Money', after all this is said to be the oldest profession on earth.

Mine and Tizz exactly the same sequence.
There is no other!
Because,

In essence:
f(n) = n(n-1)
as correctly posited by jimbo

One can create any sequence of numbers and ask us to guess the next number in the sequence.

One example:
f(x) = x!-1

So the novice will pose it like this:

1=0
2=1
3=5
4= 23

And ask:
5= ?

Of course the answer, if you can work out the formula:
1x2x3x4x5-1= 119

Silly really....

On 2016-02-24 22:40:45 Ben Layden said:
Mine and Tizz exactly the same sequence.
One example:
f(x) = x!-1

So the novice will pose it like this:

1=0
2=1
3=5
4= 23

An interesting wrinkle to *that* one, is that since 0!=1 by definition, one could pose it thus by adding the first line below:

0=0
1=0
2=1
3=5
4= 23

[QUOTE;500030;Chmoks] Jimbo, looks like you're the shortest period out of the benches!

Maybe you want to help Yankee with his "If you assume that there is a logical sequence and apply an equation to solve for x then you should really be applying the same equation to both sides of the = sign......i think thats the most clinical way to solve this one" ? You see, he's still not convinced ;-)

And I never will be boet....i would go so far as to say that if you were my maths professor...or any professor for that matter trying to impart your knowledge to me, even if the greatest maths brains in the world agreed with your answer I eould still view it with some circumspection....theres a bit of a fine line between 'wanting' people to believe that you are right and.....just quietly knowing.....that you are right ;-)

I decided to google the problem ( yes yes I know...) and guess what....this things been done to death with all kinds of answers ranging from 3 to 14. The most popular argument however remains that 3=3 and that seems to be the opinion of more learned folk that make a living out of teaching and solving math problems. Im beggining to think that this problem is actually misdirection in its most subtle form......it shouldnt be try this if you are a genuis. ....it should be more like who can convince everyone else that they are right LOL!!!.....its been an eye opener none the less....peace out

My answer would be 9

8=56 interpreted as 8 x 7 = 56
7=42 7 x 6 = 42
6=30 6 x 5 = 30
5=20 5 x 4 = 20
3=? 3 x 3 = 9

Regards,
Red Devil