Easy math puzzles
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51 members have voted
November 16th, 2025 at 3:06:19 AM
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How can you enclose all nine circles with two additional squares?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 16th, 2025 at 8:45:15 AM
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Quote: Wizard
Move one coin to create two lines of four coins each.
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It depends on how you define "line."
I assume the answer is, put the blue coin on top of the red one, but then the four coins in each row are, strictly speaking, not in a "line."
I assume the answer is, put the blue coin on top of the red one, but then the four coins in each row are, strictly speaking, not in a "line."
November 16th, 2025 at 9:14:00 AM
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Quote: Wizard
Draw three paths, connecting A to A, B to B, and C to C. The paths may not cross nor go outside the box.
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I've always seen this done differently. The three squares on the bottom represent electricity, water and gas. You need to hook up all utilities by connecting each house to all three, without crossing any lines.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 16th, 2025 at 9:24:52 AM
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Quote: billryanI've always seen this done differently. The three squares on the bottom represent electricity, water and gas. You need to hook up all utilities by connecting each house to all three, without crossing any lines.
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That's a different problem, with the added condition that no line could go through another house or utility
It was proven centuries ago that this is impossible, regardless of where the three houses and three utilities are located.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:46:52 AM
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Quote: ThatDonGuyQuote: billryanI've always seen this done differently. The three squares on the bottom represent electricity, water and gas. You need to hook up all utilities by connecting each house to all three, without crossing any lines.
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That's a different problem, with the added condition that no line could go through another house or utilityIt was proven centuries ago that this is impossible, regardless of where the three houses and three utilities are located.
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A sage Pack leader once offered $100( in 1967 dollars) reward for the solution to a bus full of Cub Scouts at the start of a three-hour bus ride. It's a great babysitting tool.
I actually saw a twist on this where they substituted telephone for gas, which makes it possible.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
November 17th, 2025 at 4:43:05 PM
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Quote: ThatDonGuy
It depends on how you define "line."
I assume the answer is, put the blue coin on top of the red one, but then the four coins in each row are, strictly speaking, not in a "line."
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I agree!
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 17th, 2025 at 4:45:21 PM
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Draw two squares to enclose all nine circles. You may count the existing square as well.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
November 18th, 2025 at 8:39:52 AM
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A square is divided into 16 boxes.
Each box is numbered 1-16.
Place the numbers so that each column, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, adds up to 34.
This is considered the most powerful of the magic squares, and solving it will protect you from the plague.
For a smaller blessing, divide the square into 9 parts and place the numbers so each adds up to 15.
Jewish people revere this square as it represents the name of God.
Each box is numbered 1-16.
Place the numbers so that each column, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal, adds up to 34.
This is considered the most powerful of the magic squares, and solving it will protect you from the plague.
For a smaller blessing, divide the square into 9 parts and place the numbers so each adds up to 15.
Jewish people revere this square as it represents the name of God.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
