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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wrote on 19 Jul 2020, 10:23 last edited by@Horace said in Puzzle Time:
The magician would choose either the highest or lowest of the 5 numbers, whichever one was within 24 of the remaining highest number
Ah yes, that was the puzzle piece I was missing.
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wrote on 19 Jul 2020, 14:43 last edited by
jon where do you get these puzzles? Or do you invent them?
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wrote on 19 Jul 2020, 17:34 last edited by
Mostly from a mailing list from a university ‘math circle‘ we were involved with in NC
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wrote on 24 Jul 2020, 17:35 last edited by
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.
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wrote on 24 Jul 2020, 17:45 last edited by
Cool. make sure you say 'copyright jon-nyc 2020'.
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wrote on 24 Jul 2020, 17:46 last edited by jon-nyc
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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wrote on 24 Jul 2020, 17:51 last edited by jon-nyc
William Fitch Cheney, was his name. Apparently a mathematician and magician.
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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.
wrote on 24 Jul 2020, 18:04 last edited by@jon-nyc said in Puzzle Time:
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.
It's a garbage method compared to mine.
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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.
wrote on 4 Aug 2020, 12:35 last edited by@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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wrote on 4 Aug 2020, 14:36 last edited by
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.