Question of the day

[drewf]

Here are three numbers

2
4
8

The numbers are linked by a clear logical rule.

Give me another set of numbers that conform to the same rule *and* define the rule (yes there are several rules that might apply, but I want the one I'm thinking of

Could be:

16, 32, 64, where the rule is 2^n, where n increments by 1.

Could be:

3, 97, 2578440, where the rule is the numbers are in ascending order.

 

[drewf]

2 4 8...........is it how many trillion in interest owed by Greece if they went for a payday loan over 3 days?

Hehehehehe.... I like the small fact that they have voted 'no', but now the Greek gubbermint are going to attempt to sell to the populace a worse deal than they've just rejected!

 

[highlander]

Hehehehehe.... I like the small fact that they have voted 'no', but now the Greek gubbermint are going to attempt to sell to the populace a worse deal than they've just rejected!

I know, would not have filled me with confidence if the person being trusted to get a new deal for me turned up with the plan scratched out on hotel paper........politicians, they should be kept away from anything important!

 

[CatmanV2]

2 4 8...........is it how many trillion in interest owed by Greece if they went for a payday loan over 3 days?

Heh. Nope. Your numbers conform though

C

 

[CatmanV2]

Could be:

16, 32, 64, where the rule is 2^n, where n increments by 1.

Could be:

3, 97, 2578440, where the rule is the numbers are in ascending order.

It could be either of those sequences indeed. You still need to define the rule though. I'm not picking one

C

 

[drewf]

Sorry OB - if there isn't a single answer, then for me it's not a suitable question. That's a philosophical debate instead... It's no different to asking 'What number am I thinking of?'. I can give you half a dozen other sequences and rules which 'conform', and I daresay there are hundreds more.

 

[CatmanV2]

Sorry you misunderstand. There is a single rule, but many sequences of numbers.

Clearly it's not proving popular so I'm happy to pass to someone else.

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

How about -2, -4, -8.

Using exactly the same rule as you used

 

[CatmanV2]

How about -2, -4, -8.

Using exactly the same rule as you used

I'd say define the rule behind the sequence, but the sequence doesn't meet the rule of the question so there's no point.

FWIW the correct answer has been posted, but we don't accept multiple choice

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

Ok, I'll re-write the question

"I'm thinking of a rule for sequencing numbers. Your job is to guess the rule. The only clues I will give are
1. A short sequence that meets the rule : 2 4 8
2. yes/no answers to your suggestions of sequences - I'll tell you whether they fit my rule or not.

Guess away"

 

[Arfa]

Could be 16 32 64 or 3 9 27

 

[CatmanV2]

Could be 16 32 64 or 3 9 27

it could, but what's the rule?

C

 

[drewf]

Sorry you misunderstand. There is a single rule, but many sequences of numbers.

Clearly it's not proving popular so I'm happy to pass to someone else.

C

Not really - there is a single rule in your mind, but there are MANY rules which would work, and we have to guess which one. Again, it's just 'what colour cat am I thinking about?'. Could be any one of the equally true answers. I was pointing out two potential rules, one which is mathematically strict, and another which is extremely loose but still works. We may as well play I-Spy

 

[spkennyuk]

8
10
20

Too little data to form a clear rule. The obvious rule from the original sequence of 2,4,8 would be double the last number in the sequence.
Second rule that also applies would be add 2 to the all the previous numbers in the sequence so in my sequence of 8,10,20 the next number would be 40.

They could all just be even numbers or even numbers ascending. I suppose it just a case of how logical your mind is as to which sequence rule you see first. The more data you have the easier it is to prove one of the rules wrong. I'm sure there are other rules that would apply as well.

Looking at post 1625 and 1628 in conjuction with my post above the only rule i can see that fits is they are all ascending numbers. Mr Capes post had descending numbers and the rule didnt apply. Post 1625 which answered drewf sequence has odd numbers but they were still ascending so the rule did apply.

I can't see anything else that would fit.

 

[CatmanV2]

Looking at post 1625 and 1628 in conjuction with my post above the only rule i can see that fits is they are all ascending numbers. Mr Capes post had descending numbers and the rule didnt apply. Post 1625 which answered drewf sequence has odd numbers but they were still ascending so the rule did apply.

I can't see anything else that would fit.

Correct. Glad that's over

C

 

[CatmanV2]

Not really - there is a single rule in your mind, but there are MANY rules which would work, and we have to guess which one. Again, it's just 'what colour cat am I thinking about?'. Could be any one of the equally true answers. I was pointing out two potential rules, one which is mathematically strict, and another which is extremely loose but still works. We may as well play I-Spy

Actually it's an interesting demonstration of confirmation bias and that people do not like to be told they're wrong. Everyone looks for a complex solution, and beyond that very few people actually made an attempt at defining the rule. I'm not surprised that you did the latter, but you were still looking for complex answers

Oh and of there are MANY ( ) rules, what was the one that allowed both the sequences you posted to be correct? Not denying there may be one, but I can't see one that allows even those two, let alone all the others that have been posted.

Anyway. All done now

C

 

[Contigo]

Remind me never to go to the pub with Drew and C!

 

[spkennyuk]

Ok my question then. I'm thinking of a colour now what flavour is it ?

will be back shortly with the proper question

 

[spkennyuk]

Which company is the worlds largest distributor of toys ?

I'm working later so will give you a hint. It's not lego.

 

[allandwf]

Remind me never to go to the pub with Drew and C!

I have!