Interesting Math Problem

9 years ago

5+8 = 13 Incorrect answers to other 'problems' don't change that.

The idea is for someone to become interested in what they think is a bigger pattern and add the number '21' to the answer of '13'?

So then you would have 3 wrong answers rather than 2?

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Jonathan 2.0

Banned 9 years ago

The answer is 34.

(What you're doing is adding the +Numbers to the previous Result Number.) So 2 + 5 [added to 5] = 12.

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Claude Whitacre

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0

The answer is 34.

(What you're doing is adding the +Numbers to the previous Result Number.) So 2 + 5 [added to 5] = 12.

That's what I got. But I don't see the other possible answers. Although I completely understand why Kay posted what she did.

Originally Posted by Kay King

5+8 = 13 Incorrect answers to other 'problems' don't change that.

The idea is for someone to become interested in what they think is a bigger pattern and add the number '21' to the answer of '13'?

So then you would have 3 wrong answers rather than 2?

That's such a stunningly obvious answer that I might be convinced that it's right. I was following the pattern rather than the obvious answer. I wonder if it's a male/female thing?

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Claude Whitacre

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

Here's an interesting math problem being shared on social media...

1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 12
3 + 6 = 21
5 + 8 = ?

The issue I have with this is that I believe there's at least 3 possible correct answers for this...What do you think?

What are the other two possible answers...besides 34?

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Kurt

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

What are the other two possible answers...besides 34?

Kay gave one: 13
J 2.0 gave another: 34

Another is 43. Take the first number, multiply it with the second, then add the first. This formula works for each of the first three:
(x*y) + x = n

There may be other possibilities I haven't thought of...

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Frank Donovan

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

Kay gave one: 13
J 2.0 gave another: 34

Another is 43. Take the first number, multiply it with the second, then add the first. This formula works for each of the first three:
(x*y) + x = n

There may be other possibilities I haven't thought of...

That formula would make it 45 (5 x 8 + 5)

And if we are to accept that the numbers are in a logical sequence, then the answer using J 2.0's calculation should also be 45. That's because if the first three equations are in a sequence, the fourth in that sequence has to be 4 + 7 = 32. The sequence just jumps one place.

If there isn't a missing fourth line, then 5 + 8 must be randomly chosen, and justifies Kay's original answer.

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Kay King

9 years ago

Yes, that formula works...but that is not the formula used in the OP example.

The OP example was a straightforward set of additions - there were not further formulaic instructions.

I'm no math wiz - never was - but I do know the more common way to make a mistake with numbers is to assume something not stated in the formula. I know that because I did it...a lot.

1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 7
3 + 6 = 9
5 + 8 = 13

(1+4)+(2+5)+(3+6)+(5+8) = 34

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Jonathan 2.0 Banned 9 years ago

Thanks Kay. I see what Kurt means now. There are several solutions.

: )
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Kurt

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Yes, that formula works...but that is not the formula used in the OP example.

The OP example was a straightforward set of additions - there were not further formulaic instructions.

I'm no math wiz - never was - but I do know the more common way to make a mistake with numbers is to assume something not stated in the formula. I know that because I did it...a lot.

1 + 4 = 5
2 + 5 = 7
3 + 6 = 9
5 + 8 = 13

(1+4)+(2+5)+(3+6)+(5+8) = 34

I tend to agree that 13 is the "most correct" answer. But of course it's not the formula given, as that could be what the exercise is all about, finding the formula from the given info to determine the correct answer. I say not enough info was given, therefore it's best to determine all possibilities and that it's possible that all the equations given are correct if we adjust the formatting a bit of each:

1 +4 = 5
2 +5 = 12
3 +6 = 21
5 +8 = ?

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wyatt2011 9 years ago

I came up with 37 as an answer.

1 + (4 x 1) = 5
2 + (5 x 2) = 12
3 + (6 x 3) = 21
5 + (8 x 4) = 37 ***
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- Claude Whitacre 9 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by wyatt2011
  
  I came up with 37 as an answer.
  
  1 + (4 x 1) = 5
  2 + (5 x 2) = 12
  3 + (6 x 3) = 21
  5 + (8 x 4) = 37 ***
  
  Inventive. I never saw that coming.
  
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- Johnlfc98 9 years ago
  
  Why 8x4? Shouldn't it be 8x5?
  
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Kay King

9 years ago

Kurt -

I don't necessarily agree with that. You can only do math based on the actual problem presented. Without instructions indicating there is more to the answer - the answer is 13.

A simple line often included (on intelligence tests) with questions like this is "from the numbers below, extrapolate the most logical answer"....then you would have 34.

In this case - maybe that is the tricky part? Perhaps the point is to lead people to add their own interpretation to what is a straight forward problem....and arrive at a wrong answer.

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Jonathan 2.0

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

I don't necessarily agree with that. You can only do math based on the actual problem presented. Without instructions indicating there is more to the answer - the answer is 13.

Hmm. I disagree with that Kay. There's absolutely nothing to suggest that your way of "solving" the formula is the correct one. (It's just your interpretation of the answer based on the presentation.)

For instance most people would interpret 1+1=2. However that's just their conditioned response. Depending on the variable it could also mean 1+1=11.

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Kurt

9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

Kurt -

I don't necessarily agree with that. You can only do math based on the actual problem presented. Without instructions indicating there is more to the answer - the answer is 13.

A simple line often included (on intelligence tests) with questions like this is "from the numbers below, extrapolate the most logical answer"....then you would have 34.

In this case - maybe that is the tricky part? Perhaps the point is to lead people to add their own interpretation to what is a straight forward problem....and arrive at a wrong answer.

You don't necessarily agree with me when I said "I tend to agree" with you? Interesting.

I strongly disagree with your comment:

"from the numbers below, extrapolate the most logical answer"....then you would have 34.

In this case there's no reason to assume 34 is any more correct than 43, since they both fit.

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Claude Whitacre 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

You don't necessarily agree with me when I said "I tend to agree" with you? Interesting.

It's not that you are wrong. It's that you are disagreeable.

And while I'm on a roll.... (joke given freely)

I'm also almost positive that you are still a virgin. And for that, all women are grateful.
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Kay King

9 years ago

Kurt - This is Sunday. I try not to agree with anyone on Sunday. Have no idea why that is...

OK - just realized it's still Saturday - been a loooong day - so I agree with you.

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whateverpedia

9 years ago

I see 2 possible answers to the conundrum:

1) Half past nine;
2) Quantum physics.

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Regional Warrior

9 years ago

Applying the pattern to the last equation gives the answer of 96.

Jason

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hardraysnight

9 years ago

the difference between the last answer and next answer increases 2 each time
5*2+2=12
6*3+3=21=9
7*4+4=32=11
8*5+5=45=13
9*6+6=60=15
10*7+7=77=17
11*8+8=96=19

79*76+76=6080
80*77+77=6237 =157
81*78+78=6396=159

so just say
1*4+1=5
2*6=12
3*7=21
4*8=32
5*9=45
6*10=60
7*11=77
8*12=96

76*80=6080
77*81=6237
78*82=6396

i wonder if mr miller is proud of me finally

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Regional Warrior

9 years ago

Originally Posted by hardraysnight

the difference between the last answer and next answer increases 2 each time
5*2+2=12
6*3+3=21=9
7*4+4=32=11
8*5+5=45=13
9*6+6=60=15
10*7+7=77=17
11*8+8=96=19

79*76+76=6080
80*77+77=6237 =157
81*78+78=6396=159

so just say
1*4+1=5
2*6=12
3*7=21
4*8=32
5*9=45
6*10=60
7*11=77
8*12=96

76*80=6080
77*81=6237
78*82=6396

i wonder if mr miller is proud of me finally

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laurencewins

9 years ago

I would say 45.

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Tahreem Saeed

9 years ago

1 + 4*1 = 5
2 + 5*2 = 12
3 + 6*3 = 21
5 + 8*5 = 45

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tagiscom

9 years ago

Interesting for who?

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Elizabeth Boujard

9 years ago

I always end up with 34 lol

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Jonathan 2.0 Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Boujard

I always end up with 34 lol

(Lol) Maybe the answer to the ultimate question of Life (and The Universe) is 42.

(Hehe)
Jonathan
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daronch

9 years ago

1 ? 4 = 5
2 ? 5 = 12
3 ? 6 = 21
4 ? 7 = 32
5 ? 8 = 45

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Janice Sperry

9 years ago

Since this is presented as a math problem I am with Kay. The answer is 13.

If the OP presented this as a secret code for messages between two spies I might agree with some of the other answers. Except there is not enough data. Any good spy knows you should always present enough data so the intended reader can only come up with ONE interpretation to your message.

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Jonathan 2.0

Banned 9 years ago

Originally Posted by Janice Sperry

Since this is presented as a math problem I am with Kay. The answer is 13.

If the OP presented this as a secret code for messages between two spies I might agree with some of the other answers. Except there is not enough data. Any good spy knows you should always present enough data so the intended reader can only come up with ONE interpretation to your message.

I think the beauty of the equation is that it can be interpreted in several different ways. (And, perhaps, why it's been so popular on Social Media.)

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David Beroff

9 years ago

None of the above. The correct answer is 41. Observe:

1 + 4 = 5, which expressed in base 6 is also 5.
2 + 5 = 7, which expressed in base 5 is 12 (1 five and 2 ones).
3 + 6 = 9, which expressed in base 4 is 21 (2 fours and 1 one).
5 + 8 = 13, which expressed in base 3 is 41 (4 threes and 1 one).

Why yes, I did drive my math teachers crazy. Why do you ask?