Questions tagged [mathematics]
A puzzle related to mathematical facts and objects, whose solution needs mathematical arguments. General mathematics questions are off-topic but can be asked on Mathematics Stack Exchange.
1,038 questions
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A general solution to the decanting problem? (aka jug-pouring, water-pouring)
Take a look at these two questions:
- A Set of Water Jug Challenges
- Pouring problem
Now I'm asking for a generalised solution to that problem.
I define the problem as follows:
You are required ...
- 8,860
41
votes
3
answers
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Determine the algorithm
So I was given this puzzle quite some time ago and just thought it would make a nice addition to this site:
Your task is to determine the method how the result is determined from the given number. A ...
- 2,466
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votes
7
answers
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Why does this solution guarantee that the prince knocks on the right door to find the princess?
I found this puzzle online:
On the top floor of a castle lives a princess. The floor has 17 bedrooms arranged in a row. Each bedroom has doors connecting to the adjoining bedrooms as well as to the ...
- 2,553
23
votes
2
answers
13k
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Coin weighing problem
You are given ten stacks of golden coins, each stack consisting of ten coins and a digital scale with arbitrary precision.
You know that all stacks of coins are made from gold, weighing 10 grams per ...
- 2,466
89
votes
16
answers
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A camel transporting bananas
A somewhat well-known puzzle is described as such:
You have a pile of 3,000 bananas. You wish to transport them to a place 1,000 miles away on the back of a camel; however, the camel can only carry ...
user88
27
votes
5
answers
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N logicians wearing hats of N colors
N logicians are wearing hats which can be of N different colors (each hat has one color; there can be multiple hats with the same color). Each logician can see the colors of all hats except his own. ...
125
votes
7
answers
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100 Prisoners' Names in Boxes
Names in Boxes
The names of 100 prisoners are placed in 100 wooden boxes, one name to a box, and the boxes are lined up on a table in a room.
One by one, the prisoners are led into the room; each may ...
- 2,047
41
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3
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Pirates and gold coins
A group of N pirates has come by a chest containing 200 gold coins. Their rules require that the coins be distributed by the following approach. The pirates are ranked from fiercest to meekest and ...
- 9,094
14
votes
4
answers
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N balls and a scale
The question of twelve balls and a scale is probably the best-known example of the "find the ball of a different weight" problem. But does it generalize? Is there a general way to find a weighing ...
user88
26
votes
4
answers
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The Monty Hall problem
I'm amazed that, although well known, this problem hasn't been posted yet.
Monty Hall
You are on a game show.
The host of the show shows you three doors.
He tells you that behind one of them, is a ...
- 759
10
votes
6
answers
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Find the value of $\bigstar$: Puzzle 1 - Evaluation
This puzzle replaces all numbers with other symbols.
Your job, as the title suggests, is to find what number fits in the place of $\bigstar$.
All symbols abide to the following rules:
Each symbol ...
- 781
139
votes
8
answers
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The Sheikh dies
The Sheikh dies, leaving behind three sons, 17 camels and the following order:
His oldest son shall inherit one in two camels.
His middle son shall inherit one in three camels.
His youngest son shall ...
- 2,513
34
votes
8
answers
7k
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Dinosaur egg drop
Archeologists discover two dinosaur eggs, and you are given the chance to test the durability of these eggs (bad move on their part). Suppose that these eggs will absorb a specific amount of force ...
- 2,166
24
votes
6
answers
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Make numbers 1 - 30 using the digits 2, 0, 1, 8
It's 2018 so let's repeat last year's challenge with new digits.
This is similar to the "Four fours" puzzle, but using the digits 2, 0, 1 and 8.
Rules:
Use all four digits exactly once
Allowed ...
- 574
6
votes
3
answers
679
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Find the value of $\bigstar$: Puzzle 2 - Switch-a-roo
This puzzle replaces all numbers with other symbols.
Your job, as the title suggests, is to find what number fits in the place of $\bigstar$.
All symbols abide to the following rules:
Each symbol ...
- 781