Puzzle Time
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Considering 5 random distinct numbers from 1 to 52, the magician could choose either the highest or the lowest number to keep secret, while ordering the remaining four to identify a number between 1 and 24, since there are 24 orderings of four distinct things A,B,C, and D where A is the lowest number, B the second lowest, etc. The magician would choose either the highest or lowest of the 5 numbers, whichever one was within 24 of the remaining highest number, considering 52 to roll over to 1 as numbers increase. This should always be possible. The assistant would identify the hidden number as the indicated offset from the highest of their four cards, rolling over from 52 to 1 if necessary.
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Today it is my responsibility to present a game during a department zoom meeting that we can all participate in. I'm going to give them this puzzle, but I'll have them try to solve it as a group rather than individually and competitively. Should be fun. Maybe I'll be surprised and they'll come up with a solution quickly.
Education is extremely important.
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I've since learned that this very method (using top card as suit indicator and three cards as identifier) was used by a magician from the 30s. Probably invented by him.
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Today it is my responsibility to present a game during a department zoom meeting that we can all participate in. I'm going to give them this puzzle, but I'll have them try to solve it as a group rather than individually and competitively. Should be fun. Maybe I'll be surprised and they'll come up with a solution quickly.
@Horace said in Puzzle Time:
Today it is my responsibility to present a game during a department zoom meeting that we can all participate in. I'm going to give them this puzzle, but I'll have them try to solve it as a group rather than individually and competitively. Should be fun. Maybe I'll be surprised and they'll come up with a solution quickly.
How'd it go?
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There was a surprise guest and thus no game-time during that meeting. Then the following week there was again no game time. I suppose I'll be on the hook but only if we ever do another game time. Nobody likes these game times during these meetings, but games are fun, and even if nobody has any fun, they are still fun. Just ask everybody professionally obligated to attend the zoom meeting.
