Lenny Conundrum #160

[AySz88]

I want them to do something a bit more math related, like using implicit derivatives in finding the velocity or height of something at a certain moment.

*Nerd.*

yea, I agree. Maybe taking a surface integral or something

They did have a cool physics problem during the lost desert plot, but not nearly as hard as it could have been.

Nah - too difficult - assuming it is actually a kids site. True that we adults are also hooked up, but I think thats not fair to them. Once in a while is Ok like the dubloon one 2 weeks back. Overall I do not mind getting low payouts, as an adult most of us should have other means to support myself, which most of us do.
I am happy when they give an easier problem, maybe this will get more kids hooked to maths and this is a relatively fun way to do it. I only started liking maths at high school anyway, when I realized I cannot look smart based on the genes I have

In that case, they really should offer two levels of problems, one for fun and one that really challenges those already in high school and college or beyond. (Though, I guess one could alternate between the two, but then that could discourage the kids....)

This one's way too brute-force-able.

[843]

Or maybe they can post 2 different questions, viewed differently depending on your age.

[littleboy6326]

Or maybe they can post 2 different questions, viewed differently depending on your age.

But then what would happen to the kids who lied about their age to get the full features? Or the adults who want an easy win and pretend to be younger?

[843]

Kids who lied about their age will face the more extreme conundrums, it's their own fault for lying in the first place

Adults who create an account pretending to be younger will be frozen

Some people have been creating multiple accounts to enter the Lenny Conundrum multiple times, to win multiple prizes or to improve the chances of winning. Please do not do this, it makes the game unfair for others. We will freeze the accounts of people that we find doing it.

If that young account is his or her only account, he or she is sacrificing the full features for the sake of Lenny Conundrum

Besides, who said the prizes must be equally good?

[bettywales]

I doubt if TNT would do this though (split the competition). There was a question in the editorial not too long ago requesting that they split up the art contest that way, but the answer was a pretty definite no. The reasons they gave were pretty much what littleboy6326 said.

I tried this one, and probably got it right, but generally skip the math ones. They make my brain hurt.

[Mimi]

I only started liking maths at high school anyway, when I realized I cannot look smart based on the genes I have

Same... I only got into math once in high school, but mainly because I didn't feel challenged enough in any previous courses. It was calculus that really got me back into the, "OMG MATH! "-phase.

As for the genes thing, alot of people look at me and think, "Girly blonde female... aw, cute." Most people don't realize I major in Biology at Drake University and my course load features calculus and physics and what not, haha.

Back on topic: I don't know, I kind of like the idea of a split Lenny Conundrum. Perhaps, instead of it according to age, they just give you two choices and you can't go back after chosing one for that problem. So people who don't want a challenge will go with the easy one, but the low payout, but those who honestly want to think will go for the difficult one. I wish TNT would consider it.

[endeavourl]

I only started liking maths at high school anyway, when I realized I cannot look smart based on the genes I have

Same... I only got into math once in high school, but mainly because I didn't feel challenged enough in any previous courses. It was calculus that really got me back into the, "OMG MATH! "-phase.

As for the genes thing, alot of people look at me and think, "Girly blonde female... aw, cute." Most people don't realize I major in Biology at Drake University and my course load features calculus and physics and what not, haha.

Back on topic: I don't know, I kind of like the idea of a split Lenny Conundrum. Perhaps, instead of it according to age, they just give you two choices and you can't go back after chosing one for that problem. So people who don't want a challenge will go with the easy one, but the low payout, but those who honestly want to think will go for the difficult one. I wish TNT would consider it.

I agree. The two choices would make it a lot better. I dunno about liking math though, I stopped liking math after calculus; i mean, it isnt too bad to apply the math to things, like taking surface integrals or using div and curls to figure out fields, but when you get into proofs and math theory, it gets pretty complicated and crazy

[AySz88]

Personally, I wasn't thinking of a split by age, I maybe just two puzzle contests a week (one LC one some-other-name).

[N4p4]

can i just say how ppl can solve the problem here????

[843]

can i just say how ppl can solve the problem here????

Logic, as well as trial and error. There may be mathematical equations involved, but I chose the easy way out.

[AySz88]

can i just say how ppl can solve the problem here????

Logic, as well as trial and error. There may be mathematical equations involved, but I chose the easy way out.

The equations are easier than one might suspect (at least, 4 of them are easy); the hard part is realizing how to conjure them up.

[N4p4]

I think everybody here know the right number and dont need my help

[AySz88]

Answer is up.

Solution:

Let's have five numbers a, b, c, d, e , and in order (increasing). We know that

a + b = lowest = 228
a + c = next lowest = 230 --> c - b = 2
...
(the order of the middle 6 is ambiguous)
...
c + e = second highest = 252
d + e = highest = 258
--> c - d = 6

a = ?
b = 228 - a
c = b + 2
d = c + 6
e = 258 - d

...then I just guess-and-checked "a".