what is the answer

[xzytxzy]

ninety divided by five multiplied by ten minus twelve =

[rd14962]

is it 128?

ninety divided by five =14

multiplied by ten =140

minus twelve =128

[mohill]

Sorry rd14962

90 divided by 5 is 18

This gives a final answer of 168

[mohill]

I haven't looked at answerbank for a few days and so had not realised that you have not posed the actual question, which is: Add all the numbers.

Forget my answer above; it is irrelevant. Forget the whole problem. It is a stupid kind of trick question with no really rational or sensible solution. Don't waste your time on it.

Cheers

[LucyHi]

Hey guys, it's a scam. Don't waste your money.

See thread http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Film-and-TV/Question201527.html

[Wand-Minter]

297,340,183,220,342 (I think)

Chris (former English Teacher)

[ashwil]

Greetings fellow frustratees! OK, so we have now figured it is a scam question, so what to do? I don't care about the prize money, as I won't be winning it (having already done a few quid trying just to get on air and having subsequently heard people give all of my answers incorrectly!). BUT, I do care about knowing the answer and in cracking the code. So, I have the following suggestion:

1. Please, whoever happens to be watching when it finally gets solved, PLEASE post the answer here asap.

2. Whatever the answer, PLEASE post any theories that may get close to it (even if not exactly).

3. Let's at least work together to solve the code and share the secret.

The only way that ALL of our frustrations are going to be allayed is if just one of us, with the help of the others, can crack it and put us all out of our misery! It will also remove one sneaky tactic of the fraudsters.

But, above all else, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't waste your money trying to win a prize that just isn't there to be won.

[gilliantico@]

they include roman numerals in the answers...like the v. and iv.........

[ashwil]

Agreed, roman numerals are a large part of the key. Working on the basis of a)Roman numerals b) the numbers as written and c) every permutation of the calculation, I am currently at 7742 or 7754.

Applying this principle to two other recent puzzles of this nature, I have (so far) got the following:

Actual answer 5423, my answer 5347

Actual answer 5800, my answer 5800 (but flawed)

I am, therefore, convinced that this is the general basis of calculation, but I do suspect that there is still something else hidden in there. I have, however, ruled out hexadecimals as they seem to take me well over the top. Further, I think adding hex would just be one step too far for 99% of callers to understand.

As far as Roman numerals go, it would seem that they include some technically incorrect ones (eg, id and vid), but I can forgive them that if they are consistent in their logic.

[ilovehorses]

The answer is 7894. I don't know how, I on't know why, it just is. Anyone who denies this, is a putz, as it has just been broadcasted over UK-wide television. [edited by AB]

[ashwil]

Not sure why the last post was so agressive as we have all been waiting for the actual answer of 7894. Anyway, since I last wrote, I discovered an additional 106 of Roman numerals from an "li" and an "lv", plus another couple of odd bits. I can now justify various answers close to, but short of, 7894. I am still looking for something between 25 and 46 hidden beyond the obvious. I reckon I have exhausted all reasonable permutaions of roman numerals and all logical calculations within the text, so any other suggestions welcome!

Why is this so important for a quiz that has now finished? Firstly, I just want my curiosity satisfied. But more importantly I think I am within an ace of cracking ftn's calculation rules as my reckonings work extremely closely to the actual answers on the last 3 of these "add the numbers" quizzes. I am, 99% certain that they DO have a SINGLE set of rules and that cracking them would enable future ones to be broken.

Having also watched tonight's show, they did actually give the prize away (�14k). OK, they really had to tell us the answer, but someone did actually get the cash! They also did go to great pains to point out the costs of calls and encouraged people to consider what they could afford before making multiple calls. So, maybe we should lighten up on them a little. Yes, they have made a fortune out of this quiz, but now that I have followed this one right throughand have seen a genuine logic at work, I couldn't honestly say that anyone is being truly ripped off.

If anyone wants my calculations to date, I will gladly publish them, but as it is quite long and involved, I will wait until someone else shares my thinking before devoting the time!!

[LucyHi]

ashwil: Please, please do not think that there is a single set of rules - this will just play into their hands. They could make up any rule they want and apply them (for example, the could choose to treat W as two V's (hence 10) one week and then decide to do something else the next).

These guys are currently operating outside any legislation and until this loophole is closed they will continue to screw as much money out of Joe Public as they can!