missing clues

[harkatlisten]

Does anyone know the quiz where you are given a total sum in �.s.d. and all clues are like the following:- An old bicycle. A kind of pig. A mans name. etc. I can remember some but not all. Help please.

[MatydaLover]

I can do 7's but only by using brackets ... is that allowed?

[MatydaLover]

Using the same formula, I can do ANY number ... but it needs brackets.

[merlinius]

113 might be a bit difficult, perhaps 17 17 17 = 3 is a little easier!!

[merlinius]

Matydalover, brackets are allowed. What is your answer to 7?

[merlinius]

Is it 7 divided by point 7 minus 7 = 3?
If not, you've cracked it possibly.

[merlinius]

Having looked at my solutions I'll have to say brackets are not allowed as none of mine contain any. Sorry!

[MatydaLover]

My answer to 7 turns out to be universal ... the final step is taking the square root. It works with all real numbers except zero.

Not bad. Your phrasing meant that this result was quite unexpected.

[merlinius]

Think you've got it maty, but don't know how you had to use brackets.

[dundurn]

Stopped for lunch and what do I find? other people have been thinking as well! Very nice solution! Might have got there quicker if the challenge had been to find equations totalling 9. 3 is a bit of a (perfectly legitimate) red herring.

[merlinius]

Well said dundurn! Couldn't use 9 really as most maths enthusiasts will know it's magical properties! Hehe!
M

[dundurn]

It also helped, I must say when Maty mentioned taking the sqare root as the last step.

[MatydaLover]

Sorry for the confusion, I guess there's no need to write the expression "inline" ... and thus no need for brackets.

[merlinius]

Quite right Maty. Think the matter is resolved now. Hope you enjoyed it!
M