reminded | No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

Entry tags:

No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

[It's about time to give this device a go. In neat, legible writing is simply the following:]

5 + 5 + 5 = 550

It appears I have my arithmetic out of sorts. However, it would be a shame to scrap the equation entirely. Can you help me correct it by adding a single straight line?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I've got an umbrella!

[It is too late Layton. He's got the book in his bag and he did, happily, remember to grab the umbrella and before either Maiza or Czes can say a word to him he is out the door.

Without a coat on, but. Details.

One library, coming up.]

Of course.

The main problem with this puzzle is counting time. Obviously, one fuse will mark 60 minutes, but that is too long for your purposes. Can you think of a way to cut that time down?

Ha ha. "No pain, no gain," wouldn't you agree? Though I suspect your table would appreciate a little less of that pain.

I wanted to test my journal and make sure I could send messages as well as receive them. Problem solved.

Oh! Can I put the line through the last 5? That way it'll be like it's nothing, so it'll be zero! And then you could put the 5 and the 5 and the 0 together and make... 550!

[He smiles brightly. He really thinks he has this.]

[Two fuses, two matches, needed to find the 45 minute mark on these fuses since they burn for an hour. He takes another 30 minutes or so before he comes up with something.]

You light one of the fuses at both ends. That way it burns for only half an hour and you know the half an hour mark. You also light the second fuse, but, just at one end. When the first fuse is all burnt up, you know the half hour mark for the second fuse. Then you burn the other end of the second fuse and it'll only burn half of the time of the half hour, so, you know when it's 45 minutes.

That saying is best used when working out. Maybe no one will notice the table though. Oh well.

You know, most people test that by poking it, or yelling at it until someone tells them to shut up.

[It seems a bit simple, but have one answer in nice, tidy handwriting:]

5 + 5 + 5 ≠ 550

[And another, letting her imagination play with it a bit more (after all, her artist father's blood flows through her, too): ]

5 + 5 4 5 = 550.

Goodness. I'm afraid you have me very much lost. I suppose you could do something like this.

~~5 + 5 + 5 = 550~~

Then it might make sense.

...

[And before Layton can tell him to wait, Luke is gone. He can't say this was entirely unexpected, though.

He shuts his journal, acquires some thick towels, and makes his way to the library entrance. If he isn't in plain sight when Luke arrives, he expects the boy will tread water all over the library in search.]

[Today, Luke learned that a sprint through icy rain does not leave you any less went and cold just because you've upped your speed.

The door to the library would bang open if it were any other building, one that didn't require peace and quiet as part of its existence. Luke drops his umbrella there in the entry and looks around, mostly dripping.

Then all that stuff about quiet is forgotten completely.]

Professor! [Too busy rushing him in the biggest hug attempt he's ever...attempted.]

Exactly. Once you remember that a fuse isn't limited to being lit at only one end, the rest of the solution comes naturally.

Best keep a watch on hand so you can avoid a conundrum like this in the future.

[Okay, hold up, he's totally got this.]

5 + 5 + 51= 550
5 + 5 + 5 = 5-50
5 + 5 + -5 = 550

?? 5 + 5 + 5 = 550 ??

[...maybe not.]

[He'd argue that the brain needs just as much exercise to stay fit, but that's an argument for another day.]

As entertaining as either of those options would be, I thought a puzzle might be more enjoyable. Do you disagree?

Edited 2012-11-13 05:46 (UTC)

[Maybe a gentle hint is in order? He admires the effort Red is putting in, though...]

You only have one stroke of the pen at your disposal, so your options are limited. It is only one small line, but it may just be enough to create something new entirely.

Well, it's an easy way to get people's attention. It's just sorta odd for someone new to be calm enough to write out a puzzle.

Luke--!

[There is no puzzle that would help him avoid this. Layton struggles to hang on to the towels with one hand and secures his top hat with the other as Luke barrels into him and gets his clothes very, very wet.]

A single straight line...

[There will be a series of scribbles including the phrase "IT'S NOT FIFTEEN." on the page before she finally figures it out.]

545 + 5 = 550

Got anymore?

Yeah, because I don't think many people carry around fuses and matches with them all the time.

I'm guessing you like doing puzzles a lot.

545+5=550

Do let me know if you've anything challenging.

That is... one way of seeing it, but I'm not entirely convinced that it holds true to reality. Though adding five cups of tea to five more to get 550 would be a very pleasant surprise indeed.

But five plus five and plus another five is... Fifteen.

[Hello I am six years old and I am missing the point entirely.]

[In the process his hat even fell off. He really doesn't care right now.]

Both are technically correct, but the latter is more commendable. Well done. A little line goes a long way, doesn't it?

[Ami switches from written to voice after the answer.]

I never thought about it that way before. It was sort of fun.

[And so you win the Meaner Alternative Solution prize!]

Doubtless, a harried instructor with altogether too many tests to grade would reach the same solution. But since we have the time, I think we can afford to be a bit more... constructive.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 20

No. 001 - Simple Addition [Written]

no subject

oh god no this one killed me LOL

no subject

[Voice]

Oh, okay lol imma just cheat then /because Henry could probably figure this out.

no subject

[written]

[written]

[action]

[action]

it's okay i do it all the time :')

[written]

no subject

[written]

no subject

no subject

[written]

Awesome. And people say cheaters don't prosper

[Written]

[voice]

[Voice]

no subject

[written]

[voice]

[written]