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Thread: Manxy's New Challenge

  1. #1

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    Manxy's New Challenge

    One of my most cherished possessions is the complete set of the very rare and unknown "Caring For Pests " books (volumes 1 though 5). Each book is 62 millimetres thick, which includes the front and back covers, which are 4 millimetres thick each.

    One evening, I sat down and opened one of the books and there was a hole in it! How could this be? It turned out a Worm had eaten through the books, starting on the first page of Volume 1 and eating all the way to the last page of Volume 5.

    If the Worm had eaten through the books in the most direct route possible, how many millimetres did the Worm travel?

  2. #2
    Frenzied Member zaza's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Sigh.


    The books are presumably arranged left to right, as usual, so the munching includes the 3 complete centre volumes at 62mm each plus the front cover of vol 1 and the back cover of vol 5 at 4mm each.

    Total, 194mm.


    zaza

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Lol, I must try harder

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    1st and last books = 58 mm each (62 minus one cover)
    3 centres = 62 mm each (including both covers)

    total = 302 mm.


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    Frenzied Member zaza's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Obviously, this one hasn't reached Down Under yet.
    The books are arranged on the shelf from left to right, hence the first page of vol 1 is actually not at the far left of the stack. Similarly the last page of vol 5 is not at the far right of the stack. Think about piling books on the floor, starting with vol 1, and you'll get it.

    zaza

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Well it doesn't say how they are arranged... but fair point.

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    yeah its 194mm.

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    I knew there was a reason I didn't do very well in that IQ test :/

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    lol maybe I'll do another?

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    8k - 5n = 8r
    3u + 2o = 189
    5d + 2c = 6m
    5L + 4m = 23b
    3r - m = 3u
    3k - 4i = 2i
    3n - 3o = c
    o - c = 4d
    8i + 9r = 9n
    10m + 7d = 3n
    4d + 4e = 6b
    4y - 6u = 2m
    6b + 3c = 14m

    L + e + n + n + y + c + o + n + u + n + d + r + u + m = ???

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    Addicted Member Rassis's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    If the books are arranged on the shelf from left to right, then the front cover of volume 1 (4 mmm) plus the thickness of volumes 2, 3 and 4 (3 x 62 mm) plus the back cover of volume 5 (4 mm) = 194 mm;

    If the books are arranged on the shelf from right to left, then 302 mm.
    Last edited by Rassis; Feb 12th, 2006 at 10:54 AM.
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    Addicted Member Rassis's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    I wonder how the worm reached the first page of volume 1 without having eaten its front cover...or the entire volume?

    If all the volumes are placed upside down and because the worm has to start somehow from the surface, I would say 5 x 62 - 4 (the thickness of the back cover of volume 5) = 306 mm. On the way back (unless the worm commits suicide ) it uses the path already opened.

    Right?
    Last edited by Rassis; Feb 12th, 2006 at 11:34 AM.
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    Addicted Member Rassis's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    With regard to Manxy´s second question, it is too elementar: n equations and n variables (n = 13), a waste of time.
    ...este projecto dos Deuses que os homens teimam em arruinar...

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    You're not going to believe this Rassis, but it's the same kids site my son visits.
    The answer so I'm told is 599 but I'm with you on this, there's too many equations to work it out and I've no data to simplify things.
    So people! forgive my copying of the question and the bluntness of the answer but it beat me completly. I'll do better next time. Manxy

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    im confused... is the worm one solved? what is 599 for? First or the second?

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Quote Originally Posted by gigemboy
    im confused... is the worm one solved? what is 599 for? First or the second?
    Yes it is, depends on whether the books are arranged left to right or the other way round. 599 is the answer to post #10.
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Quote Originally Posted by manxy1
    8k - 5n = 8r
    3u + 2o = 189
    5d + 2c = 6m
    5L + 4m = 23b
    3r - m = 3u
    3k - 4i = 2i
    3n - 3o = c
    o - c = 4d
    8i + 9r = 9n
    10m + 7d = 3n
    4d + 4e = 6b
    4y - 6u = 2m
    6b + 3c = 14m

    L + e + n + n + y + c + o + n + u + n + d + r + u + m = ???

    L + e + n + n + y + c + o + n + u + n + d + r + u + m = w+t+f


  18. #18
    Addicted Member Rassis's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Does anybody who knows the solution care to explain how can 599 mm be possible? I would appreciate it very much.

    Thanks.
    ...este projecto dos Deuses que os homens teimam em arruinar...

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Quote Originally Posted by Rassis
    Does anybody who knows the solution care to explain how can 599 mm be possible? I would appreciate it very much.

    Thanks.
    It's not. 599 is the answer to the second puzzle.

  20. #20
    Addicted Member Rassis's Avatar
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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Uhf! I am glad to hear that 599 mm is not the right answer to the worm´s question! It was driving me crazy. It doesn´t seem fair to use the same thread for different issues. After all, is anyone going to give the right answer whatsoever?
    Last edited by Rassis; Feb 18th, 2006 at 05:53 PM.
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  21. #21

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    Re: Manxy's New Challenge

    Not used to forums guys, but have realised my error, thanks for putting me straight

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