How long did it take you to solve this "maths equation"

Water Cooler
#41

60

edit: lol order of operations much, 15

#42

So: a+[b\*4]+c = 18

let’s start with all variables > 0. What can we say about ‘b’?

#43

5 + 1 x 10 = 15

#44

did you solve this thing or not? I’ve already been through all this logic and I can get the numbers to work out. you need the proofs below to simplify the other two equations and then you have 3 variable and 3 equations (given the diamond is defined as one)

#45

Igor, 25

#46

ok, let’s give a bit more. This is actually the easy part, believe it or not.

If all numbers are positive, “b” must be less than 5 since 5*4>18. So, let’s try 4. 4*4=16. 18-16=2. Given a+c=2 does not work because “a” and “c” are not equal and thus can’t both equal 1. Also, working theory is diamond =1.

Okay, let’s try b=3. 3*4= 12. 18-12= 6. A+c=6. Working theory is diamond= 1, so can’t be 5+1. A and c are different numbers so can’t be 3+3. So:

a=2 or 4

b=3

c=2 or 4

tada

#47

^^^

not tada…

try those variable sets in the other equations. they don’t work.

#48

I’ve solved it. If they don’t work then you are using the incorrect functions. Here’s a big hint: triangle(x) is x^2. And, forget any hypothesis you have about multiplication. There is no multiplication function in this puzzle.

Now try equations 1 and 3

#49

I just plugged in a=2, b=3, c=4 and tried a=4, b=3, and c=2 into the first equation b*c + c^2+2a = 29 …does not work

some of these variable must be fractions or negative numbers. you have to solve the system of equations

#50

Where are you getting b*c? It is a square. There is NO MULTIPLICATION FUNCTION

#51

so how are you interpreting a square inside a triangle? … sure a triangle in a triangle means “square”

#52

B^2+c^2+ 2a=29

#53

so you take the inside shape “to the power of” the bigger shape?

#54

No. Any number inside a triangle is squared. The others have different functions. Diamond is hardest and solved last.

Equations 1 and 3 work, ya?

#55

write out the freaking answers jesus

#56

ok, I see that line of thinking. so, maybe one of the shapes could make the inside shape negative, for example. I could try and see if that gets me anywhere.

#57

???

Beer bottle = 10

Burger = 5

Beer mug = 2

So 5 + (10 x 2) = 25

(and yes, we multiply before addition. I remember those stupid facebook posts that dont follow BEDMAS)

EDIT: How did ACE and Buffalo get 15? Is this some Solomon Asch conformity experiment I’m not aware of?

#58

Spot the difference

You thought this is a mathematics puzzle? No sir, just a test of drunkenness.

#doublevision

#59

Since nobody has follwed up I’ll post the answer to the below problem. Spoilers:

_ Spoilers: _

Easy Functions:

  1. Sequential shapes are addition. Example: square square = square+square
  2. Enveloping (big) circle = squareroot(x)
  3. Enveloping triangle = x^2

Using these functions on equations one, three, five and seven you will find that circle = 2, square = 3, triangle = 4.

Here is where it starts to get tricky. What is diamond? We can use equation 6 to find diamond:

  • (diamond)^2+(diamond+3)^2+3 = (diamond+4)^2+3^2+2
    • diamond^2+(diamond+3)^2 = (diamond+4)^2+8
      • diamond = either -3 or 5. Given all other numbers are positive, lets use 5 and move on.

So, diamond = 5. We have all of the numbers to solve this. There is one function remaining. Here is where it gets damn tricky. What is function diamond(x)? We now need to find equations 2 and 4, both of which use diamond(x).

  • Equation 2: diamond(5) = 5.
  • Equation 4: diamond(8) = 21.What could solve both of these?
  • Here is the hard part. It s a Fibonacci series:
    • diamond(5) = 1,1,2,3,_ 5 _
    • diamond(8) = 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,_ 21 _
    • so, diamond(x) = xth Fibonacci value.

So the _ answer _ is:

  • Fibonacci(Fibonacci(5+2) =
    • Fibonacci(1,1,2,3,5,8,_ 13 _)
      • Fibonacci(13) = (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89,144,_ 233 _)
      • Final answer = 233
#60

^ Yikes! Welcome to the riddle of homo sapien intelligence outliers communicating solutions to the masses. We can’t actually know if super smarties are correct in their solutions to our complex problems, because we can’t understand the answer. Thus how do we know if it is the right answer? Faith??

Understanding THAT is a lot more relevant than this specific problem.