Easy math puzzles
Poll
 | 25 votes (47.16%) | ||
| | 17 votes (32.07%) | ||
| | 7 votes (13.2%) | ||
| | 4 votes (7.54%) | ||
| | 12 votes (22.64%) | ||
| | 4 votes (7.54%) | ||
| | 6 votes (11.32%) | ||
| | 5 votes (9.43%) | ||
| | 12 votes (22.64%) | ||
| | 10 votes (18.86%) |
53 members have voted
June 15th, 2026 at 4:45:07 PM
permalink
Original solution still valid, but here’s a more efficient way to get 14.
((10 + 5 + 7*3)^.5 + 5*2)^.5 + 5*2=14
Multiplication is shown for simplicity but can be accomplished using addition only. Highest number displayed is 36
The last math puzzle (beer jugs) also used fives and sevens as the only valid inputs. Coincidence??
((10 + 5 + 7*3)^.5 + 5*2)^.5 + 5*2=14
Multiplication is shown for simplicity but can be accomplished using addition only. Highest number displayed is 36
The last math puzzle (beer jugs) also used fives and sevens as the only valid inputs. Coincidence??
It’s all about making that GTA
June 15th, 2026 at 5:38:30 PM
permalink
What, nobody's going to try the negative root?
√ 5+5+5+5+5= -5
+7= 2
+7+7= 16
√ 16 =-4
+7+7= 10
+5+5+5= 25
√25= -5
+5+7+7= 14
√ 5+5+5+5+5= -5
+7= 2
+7+7= 16
√ 16 =-4
+7+7= 10
+5+5+5= 25
√25= -5
+5+7+7= 14
June 15th, 2026 at 6:29:22 PM
permalink
The problem says you’re using a calculator. Show me a calculator that gives a negative value for a square root.
Also, how does √ 5+5+5+5+5= -5 ?
Also, how does √ 5+5+5+5+5= -5 ?
It’s all about making that GTA
June 15th, 2026 at 7:16:24 PM
permalink
Quote: Ace2The problem says you’re using a calculator. Show me a calculator that gives a negative value for a square root.
Also, how does √ 5+5+5+5+5= -5 ?
link to original post
The ASCII radical sign available here, that's just how it looks, no way to extend it over the whole statement. I suppose I should have used parentheses.
And I'll show you a calculator that gives a negative square root when you show me one that can only add 5 and add 7 and take square roots! This is a very unusual calculator to begin with, and unless stipulated we can make no assumptions about which square root.
June 15th, 2026 at 11:01:08 PM
permalink
All submitted answers look correct. Well done group!
I got this one from one of my puzzle videos from the Ted-Ed YouTube channel. This one is titled, "Can you solve the giant cat army riddle? - Dan Finkel"
Direct: https://youtu.be/YeMVoJKn1Tg?si=RCtKeyqbfmB5oj0J
I got this one from one of my puzzle videos from the Ted-Ed YouTube channel. This one is titled, "Can you solve the giant cat army riddle? - Dan Finkel"
Direct: https://youtu.be/YeMVoJKn1Tg?si=RCtKeyqbfmB5oj0J
"My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplace of existence. These little problems help me to do so." -- Sherlock Holmes
June 24th, 2026 at 2:41:15 PM
permalink
This is more of a math question than a math puzzle.
In the game of craps, many casinos charge a 5% commission (of the bet amount) on a win only when buying the 4/10.
My understanding is that a $40 lay bet on 4/10 would win $59 for $40 at a casino that collects the commission on win only. But this doesn’t seem right since a lay bettor would be paying twice the $vig as a buy bettor in the long run.
If laying the 4/10, shouldn't the casino charge the 5% (of win amount) on a LOSS only?
For example, if laying the 4 for $40 to win $20, you'd actually lay $41 to win $61 for $41.
This ensures the casino makes the same $ vig on a player laying the 4 for $41 as a player buying it for $20. In a casino that charges the vig up front, they make the same $vig on a $20 and a $40 lay, so that seems to be the intent.
In the game of craps, many casinos charge a 5% commission (of the bet amount) on a win only when buying the 4/10.
My understanding is that a $40 lay bet on 4/10 would win $59 for $40 at a casino that collects the commission on win only. But this doesn’t seem right since a lay bettor would be paying twice the $vig as a buy bettor in the long run.
If laying the 4/10, shouldn't the casino charge the 5% (of win amount) on a LOSS only?
For example, if laying the 4 for $40 to win $20, you'd actually lay $41 to win $61 for $41.
This ensures the casino makes the same $ vig on a player laying the 4 for $41 as a player buying it for $20. In a casino that charges the vig up front, they make the same $vig on a $20 and a $40 lay, so that seems to be the intent.
It’s all about making that GTA
