Believe me, I am still alive. (nm)

Subject: Believe me, I am still alive. (nm)
Author: GLaDOS
Posted on: 2015-03-30 00:33:00 UTC

Jump to this post's position in the thread ↴

A Riddle Story. Can you figure it out? by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 04:18:00 UTC Reply

Two sons and two fathers went to a lake to fish. They each caught one fish each, but there were only three fish in total. How is this possible?

Everyone is using their brains to solve riddles... by GLaDOS on 2015-03-28 13:02:00 UTC Reply

When they should be using them to solve tests. What a waste. Science is more important.

I thought I killed you. (nm) by Chell on 2015-03-29 01:29:00 UTC Reply

Believe me, I am still alive. (nm) by GLaDOS on 2015-03-30 00:33:00 UTC Reply

Ha ha ha ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive... (nm) by The Bee Gees on 2015-03-30 01:14:00 UTC Reply

I am surrounded by imbeciles... (nm) by Scar on 2015-03-30 02:56:00 UTC Reply

Oh, I'm sure you are a very smart fellow. (nm) by Alfred Pennyworth on 2015-03-30 03:04:00 UTC Reply

... (nm) by Gordon Freeman on 2015-03-29 04:13:00 UTC Reply

SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE! (nm) by The Space Core on 2015-03-29 16:10:00 UTC Reply

Let's send her to the MOOOON! (nm) by Princess Celestia on 2015-03-29 16:33:00 UTC Reply

FUS-RO-DAH! (nm) by Dovahkiin on 2015-03-29 16:59:00 UTC Reply

*swings club* (nm) by Giant on 2015-03-29 23:25:00 UTC Reply

*chops down beanstalk* (nm) by Jack on 2015-03-29 23:40:00 UTC Reply

Zu'u bahlok fah jul! Faas di vulon! by Alduin on 2015-03-30 22:35:00 UTC Reply

(Yes, this is actual Dragon tongue from Skyrim.)

JOOR-ZAH-FRUL! (nm) by Dovahkiin on 2015-03-30 23:56:00 UTC Reply

GAAN LAH HASS! FUS DOH RAH! (nm) by Alduin on 2015-03-31 22:55:00 UTC Reply

*punts the two mini-Cliffracers through a portal* by Edhelistar on 2015-03-31 23:15:00 UTC Reply

is "GAAN LAH HAAS" and "FUS RO DAH". Also canonically, you should not be able to use "Drain Vitality", the first one. Ladies and gentlemen of the Vahlokke do Mein-Tiid-Ven, Protectors of the Plot-Continuum, we may have an AL-DU-IN Replacement Stu.

NOOOO! I AM AL-DU-IN! I AM INVINCIBLE! by Replacement Alduin on 2015-04-02 23:56:00 UTC Reply

*dies Skyrim-style due to break in canon that he is so embarrassed about*

Owww... I had even shouted the name of the real Alduin... by Edhelistar on 2015-04-03 00:37:00 UTC Reply

... to call him, so he could come finish off the Replacement himself.

Yup, in Elder Scrolls Canon, you shout the name of a dragon to make him/her/it/whatever come, for a dragon feels it like a challege and a dragon cannot resist a challege.

*Uses Silence* by Banshee on 2015-03-31 20:55:00 UTC Reply

*Proceeds to fill the now-mute-and-deaf dragon with lead courtesy of a Tiberon*

HULK WANT IN! HULK STRONGEST THERE IS! by Hulk on 2015-03-29 23:59:00 UTC Reply

HULK SMASH! HULK SMASH PUNY GIANT! HULK BREAK COMPUTER LADY!

Hey you, big green lunatic... by GLaDOS on 2015-03-30 00:35:00 UTC Reply

I'd suggest taking a deep breath and holding it.
Sorry, no Hulks allowed. Bye, bye! (nm) by Death of the Endless on 2015-03-30 00:14:00 UTC Reply

Hey...Long time no see! by Deadpool on 2015-03-30 21:59:00 UTC Reply

Hey wait a second. You're not the real death. Your author tried to trick me. Well you know what that means? KATANARAMA!

Hey dude! I don't think Neil Gaiman did that! (nm) by Ambush Bug on 2015-03-30 23:53:00 UTC Reply

I'm really feeling it! (nm) by Shulk on 2015-03-30 00:29:00 UTC Reply

Show me your moves! (nm) by Captain Falcon on 2015-03-30 00:47:00 UTC Reply

Hi! I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs! (nm) by Olaf, the snowman on 2015-03-30 00:52:00 UTC Reply

Oh hai there. *shines brightly* (nm) by The Sun on 2015-03-30 01:41:00 UTC Reply

Oh, hello! Do ya like my little flurry? by Olaf, the snowman on 2015-03-30 02:17:00 UTC Reply

It prevents me from melting!

*sulks off to torment Frosty* (nm) by The Sun on 2015-03-30 03:48:00 UTC Reply

Hey! Watchit out buddy! What did I ever did to you? (nm) by Jack Frost on 2015-03-30 04:22:00 UTC Reply

You've got nothing on me Snow Man! (nm) by Iceman on 2015-03-30 06:51:00 UTC Reply

Well now, this is just getting ridiculous... by Queen Elsa of Arendelle on 2015-03-30 21:18:00 UTC Reply

*sigh* Come Olaf, let's go back home.

A Witch! Burn the Witch! by Villager from Finland England 932 A.D. on 2015-03-30 21:49:00 UTC Reply

She turned me into a newt. But I got better.

But does she weigh the same as a duck? (nm) by Sir Bedevere on 2015-03-30 23:20:00 UTC Reply

AFLAC! (nm) by The Aflac Duck on 2015-03-30 23:25:00 UTC Reply

Have I mentioned that fifteen minutes... by Geico Gecko on 2015-03-30 23:37:00 UTC Reply

can save you 15% or more on car insurance?

Well, now that's just silly... (nm) by Sokka on 2015-03-30 23:49:00 UTC Reply

*whooshing noise* (nm) by Boomerang on 2015-03-31 00:28:00 UTC Reply

See! Even the boomerang agrees with me! (nm) by Sokka on 2015-03-31 00:31:00 UTC Reply

*jumps in* by KittyEden on 2015-03-28 05:51:00 UTC Reply

The answer to this riddle has a hole in the middle,
And many have been known to fall in it,
In tennis, it's nothing, but it can be received,
And some have been known to win it,
Though not seen nor heard, it can be perceived,
Like bees and princes, it's in clover,
The answer to this riddle has a hole in the middle,
And without it, you cannot start over.

(Bonus points if you can work out how it fits into all the parts of the riddle!)

Expand this post →

This one from the Mysterious Benedict Scociety. by Silenthunder on 2015-03-28 12:59:00 UTC Reply

I love that series!

It is indeed! by KittyEden on 2015-03-29 01:27:00 UTC Reply

Not you too...

I love it. ^_~ (nm) by Huinesoron on 2015-03-28 09:02:00 UTC Reply

Oh. by KittyEden on 2015-03-28 11:48:00 UTC Reply

It took a minute for that to click. You are evil.

This is officially an unofficial roleplay thread! (nm) by Silenthunder on 2015-03-28 03:32:00 UTC Reply
WOW... This filled up fast... by Silenthunder on 2015-03-28 00:38:00 UTC Reply

I don't know which post to answer anymore.

This one maybe? by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 00:43:00 UTC Reply

A warrior amongst the flowers,
He bears a thrusting sword.
Able and ready to use,
To guard his golden hoard

What is it?

Oh, I'm supposed to give one too. by World-Jumper on 2015-03-28 01:01:00 UTC Reply

Two sisters are we, one is dark and one is fair

In twin towers dwelling we're quite the pair

One from land and one from sea

Tell us truly, who are we?
A hat! by World-Jumper on 2015-03-28 00:55:00 UTC Reply

You know. Because the first letter of each sentence spells a hat.

I'm clever.

Anyway, the real answer is a bee.

Alright, PPC. You have intreiged me. by The Riddler on 2015-03-27 23:45:00 UTC Reply

You have done well with these... Simple riddles. Why don't we try something a little harder, hmm?

Riddle me this, down my riddle path.Can you solve some basic math?

You have been given the task of transporting 3,000 apples 1,000 miles from Appleland to Bananaville. Your truck can carry 1,000 apples at a time. Every time you travel a mile towards Bananaville you must pay a tax of 1 apple but you pay nothing when going in the other direction (towards Appleland).

What is highest number of apples you can get to Bananaville?

Expand this post →

And before hS comes in... by World-Jumper on 2015-03-28 00:13:00 UTC Reply

No, you cannot break the law and pay no tax. The government has very strict checkpoints.

And if anybody tries to use Zeno's Paradox to say that you never "really" reached the mile to the checkpoint guards, they will shoot you. They have been well trained to take out smart-aleks.

Oh, the PPC's transporting the apples? by Iximaz on 2015-03-28 00:22:00 UTC Reply

I just open a portal and drive through! 3000 apples!

... by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 00:32:00 UTC Reply

You know, it's moments like this that make me want to play with Batman again. At least he plays by the rules!

Fine then! Your portal devices are deactivated! You are shipping these apples because you did something stupid like, I don't know, turn yourself into a Time Lord, and this is your punishment. So, you have no access to any PPC tech, or indeed any technology besides your truck! THERE! Now, solve the riddle.

I take an alternate route. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-28 09:00:00 UTC Reply

The Appleland-Bananaville oligarchy has expended a lot of manpower to put up checkpoints every mile along the road between the two cities. Each checkpoint will need at least two shifts of at least two guards each; more likely it'll be three shifts. Actually, add a fourth to account for holidays and weekends (though I suppose those power-hungry plutocrats may not allow their guards to take holidays). Thats eight thousand guards - and eight thousand salaries - along a single road.

So I'll be taking the back-roads, on the assumption that they can't have done such a ridiculous thing on all the routes.

Actually, since Top Gear is off the air again, I'll borrow their music and modify my truck using common objects (readily available in Appleland) to make it suitable for off-road driving. Then I'll go through the countryside.

ALTERNATELY: I start a revolution. The military-industrial dictatorship of the A-B government is not going to be popular in the cities - not if they impose such heavy taxes on any transshipments within their own country. The fact that they've seen it necessary to create such a massive 'guard' force (really, who believes they're anything but professional solders? You've already told us they'll shoot people who try to get a basic education on sight!) is only further proof of this. I trade one whole load of 1000 apples around (fresh food is going to be rare, with those ridiculous transshipment 'taxes'), create a core cadre of dedicated revolutionaries, and spark off a mob riot. While the 'guards' - of which there are doubtless many in the city, to match the ludicrous numbers along the road - confront the protestors in their usual ruthless fashion, the cadre will raid their stations for weapons.

Actually, we might be better to take the mob up against the mile-checkpoints, instead. We know they're fairly lightly-manned, and we can get at least two guns from each. Heck, I'll even transport the revolutionaries in my truck - gives us the advantage of surprise.

Down with the Appleland-Bananaville dictatorship! Power to the people! Fresh fruit for all!

The People's hS

Expand this post →

I... How... That doesn't... by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 09:16:00 UTC Reply

You can't just... That's against the spirit of... But the rules...

ARRGH!!!

((You know, I think hS might just be the anti-Riddler. Sound, reasonable logic that flies completely in the face of the spirit of riddles and logic puzzles. He can't argue against them, but they are also very clearly wrong, on so many levels. A logic bomb for those who disable logic bombs for a living.))

THE SOLUTION by World-Jumper on 2015-03-28 08:40:00 UTC Reply

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Step one: First you want to make 3 trips of 1,000 apples 333 miles. You will be left with 2,001 apples and 667 miles to go.

Step two: Next you want to take 2 trips of 1,000 apples 500 miles. You will be left with 1,000 apples and 167 miles to go (you have to leave an apple behind).

Step three: Finally, you travel the last 167 miles with one load of 1,000 apples and are left with 833 apples in Bananaville.

Expand this post →
According to quantum tunneling theory... by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 00:57:00 UTC Reply

particles have a probability of being any distance from their perceived locale. Therefore, the apples in my truck cannot be taxed, because for all you know they could be anywhere.

~Neshomeh

Credit: Casey and Andy #89.

Now, what did I say about smart-aleks? by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 01:05:00 UTC Reply

The "guards" should be around any moment.

Now, if you excuse me, I have to make sure my lair is Bat-proof.

Now, now, Riddler... by Scarecrow on 2015-03-28 00:41:00 UTC Reply

You don't want to get too upset... Stress causes, well, fear. Panic. And you don't want that, now do you? Unless you fancy being a test subject today?

(Silenthunder here. He's got me locked up. I don't know my location, but he mentioned a test, and you-know-what-that-means-and-I-need-to-be-rescued-right-now!)

Cave Johnson here. by Cave Johnson on 2015-03-28 01:44:00 UTC Reply

The boys in the lab have informed me that you have expressed an enthusiasm for testing that they claim is "crazy". We here at Aperture love finding individuals who think outside of the box, and I'm here to say "Welcome aboard!" You'll be working with our new line of mousetraps - we make them with real lab-fed mice! Just look for the exit of the trap. Spears are on the left. You'll know when the test starts.

Once again, this is Cave Johnson - we're done here.

Mr. Johnson, sir... by Caroline on 2015-03-28 03:33:00 UTC Reply

Is there anything you want me to do for you?

Three words, Caroline. by Cave Johnson on 2015-03-28 06:56:00 UTC Reply

Smooth. Jazz. Cookies. Now, the eggheads say that shouldn't be possible. I say we cram a few more saxophones in! We'll turn crumpets into trumpets and reap the profits. Those Black Mesa bas- ...what? What do you mean, "we're out of funk"? Fire up the disco factory and make some more!

...what were we talking about again? Ah, never mind. Cave Johnson, out!

I'll begin researching those right away, sir. (nm) by Caroline on 2015-03-28 12:52:00 UTC Reply

Anything else, sir? (nm) by Caroline on 2015-03-28 15:53:00 UTC Reply

Yes, actually. by Cave Johnson on 2015-03-29 03:44:00 UTC Reply

I'll need those files we made on the effects of teleportation on dogs. I think I've found a way to incorporate that into our lines of shower curtains. Also, we're out of lemons. Thanks, Caroline - you're a doll!

I do my best for Science, sir. Thank you. (nm) by Caroline on 2015-03-29 16:55:00 UTC Reply

TAUNT BUTTON! by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 01:04:00 UTC Reply

Hey there Scare Guy. I bet you and the readers at home are wondering how I got here? Well you see, I was trolling around this board earlier today I found this portally-thingy that led me right here. Now, I know what you're thinking. After all I can read your thought bubble. And no, no one has hired me to take care of you. But do I even need a reason? Say hello to my little friends. Slicey-Slicey. Lets make this quick I gotta pick Death up for a Date to get some chimichangas at that place over on 74th. SHORYUKEN!

Oh, Deadpool... by Scarecrow/? on 2015-03-28 03:30:00 UTC Reply

If you don't tread carefully you might find yourself somewhere you don't want to be... Nothing scares me, and I say that truly. I have overcome my nightmares. I have seen the darkness in the flesh, and with my help you can also be free of that-

BZZZT!

Get outa here, Crow! My turn now! WELL, HIIII EVERYBODY! DIDJA MISS ME? HAHAHAHAHA! Guess who, Edward?

Oh, oh, I know who puddin'! (nm) by Harley Quinn on 2015-03-28 03:35:00 UTC Reply

That's my girl! (nm) by Joker on 2015-03-28 04:01:00 UTC Reply

Hey bub...You want to tell me how I got here? by Wolverine on 2015-03-28 04:09:00 UTC Reply

I know I am on just about every team, but I don't even know where this is. Did you have something to do with this bub?

Welcome to the Madhouse, wolfie! by Silenthunder on 2015-03-28 12:55:00 UTC Reply

Oh yes, I've heard about ya, yer little claw trick. Reminds me of Croc so much… You're both animals. Hee-hee! Anyway, I just came here myself. Apparently this is a place full of mad, happy people. Great stuff! Why not see how much happier they can get, eh? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go flood the ventilation with some, ahem, chemicals...

I think some of your guards just went silent by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 00:38:00 UTC Reply

The Batman may be coming. Also the answer is 833.

Oh, I'm not worried about him. by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 00:53:00 UTC Reply

I'm not doing anything wrong... Well, not yet, anyway.

Well done! There may be some brains in the PPC after all! Shall we play again?

I have trapped you in a room, which only unlocks for one minute every 45 minutes. Try to open the door before the time, and you get electrocuted. However, I have left you with two ropes and a lighter. Each rope takes exactly one hour to burn. These ropes are not identical, nor are they uniform, meaning it does not necessarily take half an hour for half the rope to burn. With only these two ropes and a way to light them, how do you measure out the 45 minutes?

Expand this post →

Right, let's do this. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-28 15:55:00 UTC Reply

Obviously, the Riddler's suggestion that we time 45 minutes is a false lead: we don't know when the door last unlocked! So what we do instead is this:

There are two methods by which we might get electrocuted. One, and the simplest, is that the door handle is electrified. The other is that the floor of the room electrifies if you try the handle. Both of these can be avoided with reference to one fact: rope does not conduct electricity.

(The two other methods are non-starters. Electricity can't be transmitted wirelessly in such a way that you could electrocute someone, and a wired tazer system would need cameras for aiming - which are easy to break)

So: tie one rope around the handle in such a way that we can use it to check whether it's locked. The best option is if we can apply constant pressure, but pulling it every so often is fine too. If all else fails, we'll take the rope apart and wrap the strands around our hand to make a shock-proof 'glove', but that's probably unnecessary. Depends on the design of the handle.

The second rope we coil up and stand on, to insulate us from the floor. We know it's either long or thick enough for this, because it takes an hour to burn! That's quite a lot of rope.

Then, protected from electrocution, we cheerfully test the handle until we find the door is unlocked.

Then we find something flammable and set fire to the Riddler's stronghold. After all, we have to use the lighter for something. ^_~

hS

Expand this post →

I think hS might be MacGyver in disguise. (nm) by Edhelistar on 2015-03-28 16:04:00 UTC Reply

Only think? This is my new headcanon. (nm) by Iximaz on 2015-03-29 04:36:00 UTC Reply

Well, now... by Edhelistar on 2015-03-29 21:38:00 UTC Reply

I think this...

Is my time sense working yet? by Rina Dives on 2015-03-28 01:26:00 UTC Reply

Because if so, I can just wait.

Actually, it takes a lot more electricity to zap a Time Lord than a human. I go ahead and open the door. :D

*Breaks through the door* by Superman on 2015-03-28 01:32:00 UTC Reply

Hello miss,do you need help?

Or this works, too. (nm) by Rina Dives on 2015-03-28 01:44:00 UTC Reply

So Miss, should I carry you out... by Superman on 2015-03-28 02:42:00 UTC Reply

...or I you think you can handle yourself those poor goons that are coming this way?

*smiles* I can take 'em, no worries. (nm) by Rina Dives on 2015-03-28 02:55:00 UTC Reply

*smiles back* I knew that double heartbeat had a meaning! by Superman on 2015-03-28 03:04:00 UTC Reply

Well Miss, I take the big ones, and you take the small ones.

"Sure, sounds good to me." by Rina Dives on 2015-03-28 03:34:00 UTC Reply

"And when we finish, I need you to look at this lovely flashing light..."

*Breaks through wall* RRRROOOOOAAARRR!!!!! (nm) by Doomsday clone on 2015-03-28 03:48:00 UTC Reply

"I am SO DONE." by Rina Dives on 2015-03-28 03:59:00 UTC Reply

And with that, Rina snagged the plothole the Doomsday clone had arrived in and used it to go safely back to HQ. The end.
A heavy hammer comes crashing through the walls by Unknown on 2015-03-28 03:59:00 UTC Reply

The hammer returns to a figure standing in the gap. "I know not what thou art. But your actions speak loud enough. Attacking the one in tights who wears his underclothes on the outside and the small human. I know not how I got here. But it is your misfortune."

Hey blonde guy! by Superman on 2015-03-28 04:17:00 UTC Reply

You just interrupted a HQ invasion simulation, you must be very proud of yourself. *flies away, while the clone vanishes*

This must be some fell trick Loki has played by Thor on 2015-03-28 04:38:00 UTC Reply

I will get to the bottom of this

Simple. by Darkotas on 2015-03-28 01:18:00 UTC Reply

I count to sixty forty-five times in a row. Being a band geek helps with keeping time.

Musicians. They always ruin time-based riddles. by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 01:53:00 UTC Reply

Very well. You are free to go. Just be sure you go the right way...

This one is easy Riddler... by Wonder Woman on 2015-03-28 02:47:00 UTC Reply

...I must simply tie them with my Lasso, and ask the way out.

Assuming I do not have a functional watch by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 01:17:00 UTC Reply

Take the first rope and light both ends on fire, also lighting one end of the second rope on fire. By the time the first rope has been burnt 30 minutes have passed. Then light the second end of the second rope. When that rope has been burnt 45 minutes have elapsed.

And now you have engaged in kidnapping and false imprisonment. You might want to check on those guards again, before they are all incapacitated.

Well done indeed! by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 01:40:00 UTC Reply

Believe me, I am in full control of the situation. I am most certainly not currently scrambling to make sure my traps are all primed to take out the Batman.

Speaking of the Batman, let me tell you a story about him!

The Joker and I had managed to kidnap Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. Joker, being the psychopath that he is, wanted to kill them off as soon as possible. I, however, am a reasonable criminal. I always give my victims a chance. So, I cut them a deal: I would let them go, if they could solve one of my riddles.

I lined all three of them up one in front of the other, all facing forward, like so: The Flash > Batman > Wonder Woman. Then, I put hats on their heads. I informed them that the hats were either green or purple, and there was at least one of each color. They could see the colour of the hats in front of them, but not their own. I told them, they were not allowed to communicate in any way between each other. If one of them could guess the color of their own hat, all three were free to go. If they couldn't, I let the Joker have his fun.

They are given 30 minutes. No one said anything for the longest time, when at the last minute, Batman figured out what his hat color was! True to my word, they were all freed, and the Joker and I were sent back to Arkham.

How did the Batman do it?

Expand this post →

He could've just gotten lucky. by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 02:12:00 UTC Reply

You gave them a chance all right... 50% each. If all else fails, might as well pick a color and hope for the best, eh?

~Neshomeh
Because he's the Batman by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 02:00:00 UTC Reply

Here is how it goes. Wonder Woman can see both Batman and the Flash's hat, as she is last in line. Flash and Batman must have different color hats or else Wonder Woman would have been correctly able to guess her hat. Now when time has nearly elapsed Batman now knows that Wonder Woman has not called her color. Ergo, his hat is not the same color as Flash. He can see Flash's hat and knows that his must be different.

You are the clever one, aren't you? by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 02:12:00 UTC Reply

If ever you should be seeking a job in Gotham, I have several openings available.

Well, seeing as you have bested all of my riddles so far, I have to try something even harder.

Riddle me this, riddle me that: can you sole one that stumped the Bat?

There is an island with exactly 201 residents, 100 with blue eyes, 100 with brown eyes, and the island leader (who has green eyes). To leave the island, one must know their own eye color. There are no reflective surfaces on the island and no on can communicate with each other other than the leader to the residents. No one on the island knows how many of each eye color there is. Every morning the leader gives anyone a chance to leave the island by guessing their eye color. One morning, the leader gathers all 200 residents to make an announcement, he says "at least 1 person on this island has blue eyes" How many people leave the island and in how many days after the announcement?

Expand this post →

Maybe I already have employment in Gotham by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 02:24:00 UTC Reply

All 100 Blue-Eyed People leave on day 100.

Can I get the explanation on that one? >_> (nm) by doctorlit on 2015-03-28 07:20:00 UTC Reply

XKCD to the rescue! by World-Jumper on 2015-03-28 07:44:00 UTC Reply

Here is XKCD's version of the puzzle. It may make more scene then ~~mine~~ The Riddler's.

Here is the explanation. There is a bit of math involved.

...Should I be concerned by how well you are doing? by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 02:34:00 UTC Reply

Because you are right again.

Let us try another story.

A king has 1,000 barrels of wine stored in his cellar. Unfortunately, the guards found an assassin that had snuck in last night and poisoned exactly one of the barrels. Even 1 drop of poisoned wine would be enough to kill a man, but the poison takes 30 days before becoming fatal, give or take a few hours. The poison is colorless, odorless, and victims show exactly 0 signs of being poisoned in the 30 days prior to dying. There is absolutely no way to detect the poison.

In 31 days time, there will be a grand feast in which the king will need as much of the wine as possible. He has 10 prisoners on which to test the wine. His first idea is to give each prisoner a drop from 100 barrels of wine, and then when 1 prisoner dies, throw out all 100 barrels of which the dead prisoner drank from. However his jester speaks up and explains a solution that will pinpoint exactly which barrel is poisoned using only the 10 prisoners.

What was the jester's solution?

Expand this post →

If my small-scale test is sound... by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:05:00 UTC Reply

First, divide the barrels up into groups of ten, numbered 1-10. For each group, each prisoner (A-J) drinks from two barrels, sharing one with the prisoner to his left and the other with the prisoner to his right. Rotate who drinks from what barrels; for instance, in the first round, A drinks from barrels 1 and 2; in the second round, he drinks from 2 and 3; etc. When this can no longer be done without repetition, switch up the order of the prisoners so that they're sharing with different people.

If my mind hasn't gone completely off the rails, it should be possible for only two prisoners to share the poisoned barrel, and assuming the scribes have done their jobs, which two it is that die should pinpoint the barrel.

It works for up to 100 barrels before I stop being able to visualize it... at least, I'm pretty sure it does. Probably. Definitely works for ten men and ten barrels, at the very least. >.>

~Neshomeh, who was an English major for a reason, dangit.

Expand this post →
This is a tricky one by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 02:59:00 UTC Reply

Number the barrels 1-1000 in Binary. Give each prisoner a number equivalent to one of the positions in the binary number. Each Barrel if it contained the poison would leave a different combination of prisoners dead as each Binary Number is unique. So ultimately they go and see which prisoners are dead. That would correspond to a 1 in the binary code. That would give what the binary code looks like and you can find the barrel that way.

And I do not know. Should you be concerned?

Expand this post →

This is sorta like what I said, right? by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:11:00 UTC Reply

Only, you know, better in every possible way? ^_^;

~Neshomeh

You are both correct! by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 03:22:00 UTC Reply

Congratulations to the both of you.

Alas, I must go, for now. I have a slight Bat problem. However, I will be back soon, with yet more riddles for you to solve!

Until next time!

*Blockshis way and crosses his arms* Going somewhere? (nm) by Aquaman on 2015-03-28 03:25:00 UTC Reply

TAUNT BUTTON 2! by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 03:37:00 UTC Reply

*Teleports in* What?! I missed it? Well I think I speak for all of us when I say...Seriously? Aquaman? What are you going to do? Throw a fish at him? I think A real hero is needed. Isn't that right readers?

*Sighs and blasts him with the Trident of Poseidon* by Aquaman on 2015-03-28 03:44:00 UTC Reply

Now Nigma, where we were? *readies his Trident*

I like to stick my hand up and randomly say things by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 03:50:00 UTC Reply

I think Purple-Green left the field. That really hurts you know. But hey I'm sure I'll get over it. Since I don't actually exist. But hey! Guess what I'm still here. Course I wasn't payed for this, but, hey, when has that ever stopped me?

Say hello to my little friends. Slicey-Shooty!

You were not paid you say? by Aquaman on 2015-03-28 04:02:00 UTC Reply

Say, if I get you one nice big chest of Atlantean gold, would you capture The Riddler alive and bring him to the Justice League?

I don't know... by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 04:06:00 UTC Reply

Most of my contracts involve things like missing limbs and maybe a few pints of missing blood. Ooh and maybe a missing or slightly tarnished head. I suppose I could...Say's what the going exchange rate? How many chimichangas will that buy?

Well... by Aquaman on 2015-03-28 04:10:00 UTC Reply

...enough for a multiple lifetimes supply.

How alive do you want him? by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 04:13:00 UTC Reply

Can he be at least a little bit ~~dead~~ injured?

You can ask Batman that... by Aquaman on 2015-03-28 04:19:00 UTC Reply

...if you can find him.

Look I think that's him over there! by Deadpool on 2015-03-28 04:22:00 UTC Reply

*Teleports away to go catch the riddle guy and return him only mostly dead* See ya fish man!

It is by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-28 03:20:00 UTC Reply

Yours is I think using base 10 which gets the same result. You were just using a smaller scale. Except it isn't all that better. Seeing as I can neither confirm nor deny that I may or may not be doing some form of research on various things.

Yay! by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:33:00 UTC Reply

I had to start by making a little diagram with ten barrels in a circle inside a circle of the ten prisoners and drawing a little guitar-pick shape around each groups of prisoner and two barrels. It ended up looking like a flower. o.o

Then I was like, okay, if I do this ten times over and rotate everyone one space clockwise for each new group of barrels, I can get at least 100 barrels covered, so it definitely scales...

And I knew I could get new combinations by changing the positions of the prisoners...

So I just took a leap of faith from there.

~I Am Neshomeh's Brain

Expand this post →

Ooh, I might actually get this one! by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 02:19:00 UTC Reply

All of them, two days.

The first day, everyone guesses they have blue eyes. Half of them leave. The next day, the other half know they must have brown eyes, and they leave.

(The leader, well, he's the one making the decisions; he can leave whenever he wants.)

Gave myself the clue from the last one. ^_^

~Neshomeh

Expand this post →

In the real world, that's how it would work. by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 02:30:00 UTC Reply

However, this is the Riddler's world! Things must be more complicated!

However, I have to admit, that was very clever. The riddle is said to be one of the hardest in the world, but you gave a perfect alternate answer. You win this round.

There will, however, be additional rewards for those who figure out the intended answer.

((Too be fair, it's one of the hardest in the world, according to the website I found it on. Seeing how hard the others were, I assumed it knew what it was talking about.))

Expand this post →
You know Miss, I like the way you think. by Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Sector 2814 on 2015-03-28 02:24:00 UTC Reply

Want to have a ride out of here? And maybe later, dinner... *wiggles eyebrow*

Oh, wow. ^. ^ by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 02:28:00 UTC Reply

Were I unwed, I would let you take me in a manly fashion. Cuz you're pretty. And sound like Nathan Fillion. ^_~

~Neshomeh

*Clears throat* Sorry Ma'am... by Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Sector 2814 on 2015-03-28 02:38:00 UTC Reply

*Creates a protective green bubble around Neshomeh* Time for the heroic rescue! I could phase us through the ceiling, or drill our way out. Your choice Ma'am. *roguish smile*

Oh, the ceiling, by all means. by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:09:00 UTC Reply

Whee, phasing through stuff! ^_^

~Neshomeh

Too slow! by The Flash on 2015-03-28 03:19:00 UTC Reply

*takes Neshomeh, runs up the wall and phases with her through the ceiling* See ya Ma'am! *runs back into the lair*

Oh man, it's my lucky day! by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:24:00 UTC Reply

I don't know if you were Wally West or Barry Allen, but either way, you're awesome! Thanks! And you, too, Hal!

It's just a shame I didn't get to give either of 'em the traditional cheek-kiss of gratitude I was planning... *sigh* Oh well, off home with me.

~Neshomeh

Expand this post →

I do not believe Iris Allen, or Carol Ferris, would approve. (nm by Martian Manhunter on 2015-03-28 03:32:00 UTC Reply

Aw, but it's traditional! by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:35:00 UTC Reply

By the way, you're one of my favorites from Justice League and JLU. And since you're here and there's this chaste little peck going wanting... *grin*

~Neshomeh might be a little high on the adrenaline rush.

*raises brow* I am not aware of this Terran custom. (nm) by Martian Manhunter on 2015-03-28 03:46:00 UTC Reply

Well, it goes like this. by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:54:00 UTC Reply

Bend down; you're really tall. *smacks J'onn a good one on the cheek* And that's that. Traditional Terran expression of gratitude to dashing heroes. {= D

... I wouldn't try it with Batman, though, I have to admit. He's so... Batman. o.o

~Neshomeh

Expand this post →

Hey J'onn! Ma'am...*bows head* by Superman on 2015-03-28 04:30:00 UTC Reply

I think this simulation is over, Agent Dives bailed out, and one blonde idiot with a hammer crashed through the wall of the simulator. Excuse the language, Ma'am.

Hmm, I see... by Martian Manhunter on 2015-03-28 04:36:00 UTC Reply

Archivist Neshomeh, the DC Universe Fanfiction University apologises for the inconveniences, this simulation is over and we will be leaving shortly. *They fly away and the rest of the League teleports away inmediately later*

Oh Barry, come on! (nm) by Hal Jordan, Green Lantern of Sector 2814 on 2015-03-28 03:21:00 UTC Reply

And now I know. (nm) by Neshomeh on 2015-03-28 03:26:00 UTC Reply

Easy. by Darkotas on 2015-03-28 01:55:00 UTC Reply

The Flash used his super-speed to tap out the color of Batman's hat in Morse code on the floor. He waited until the last minute so that the building could be surrounded by the Justice League while you weren't paying attention.

(I can't remember the actual solution, unfortunately...)

You know Bats, I like this guy! (nm) by The Flash on 2015-03-28 02:00:00 UTC Reply
Did I mention they were all in full-body casings? by The Riddler on 2015-03-28 01:59:00 UTC Reply

Believe it or not, I do know how to incapacitate my foes. I even lased them with Kryptonite, should Superman try to cheat and free them himself.

Even from me? by Martian Manhunter on 2015-03-28 02:08:00 UTC Reply

I could have told him the answer, for all you know...

Iunno what other people said... by Desdendelle on 2015-03-27 17:12:00 UTC Reply

(Internet went out, long story) You're talking about a man, his son and his grandson, obviously.
Besides, riddle poems are much classier. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 15:57:00 UTC Reply

I was born in the dark
In the water I lay
'Neath the earth I was carried
Air's anger I stayed
To the light I was shown
In fire I died
You who seek for my secret:
In the ashes it hides.

^_^

hS

Expand this post →

This is a chemistry puzzle, isn't it? by Neshomeh on 2015-03-27 16:58:00 UTC Reply

My first instinct says oxygen.

Born in the dark (of space)
In the water I lay (as the O in H2O)
'Neath the earth I was carried (until erupting into the atmosphere)
Air's anger I stayed (by making the atmosphere breathable)
To the light I was shown (once the clouds settled down)
In fire I died (fire consumes oxygen)
You who seek for my secret:
In the ashes it hides. (Okay, I don't have a clever thought for this one. But, um, something about carbon dating? Wait, maybe the answer is carbon... crud!)

Yeah, I dunno. It just made me think of the creation of the earth. {= )

~Neshomeh

P.S. I bet your teachers just loved you. ^_~

Expand this post →

Ooh, I like that even more than the seed. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 17:08:00 UTC Reply

Though given the mechanics of combustion, the ashes don't quite fit...

Also: no, it's not a chemistry puzzle. ^_^

(Yyyyyep, I think you've sussed out how I was at school quite admirably. And church, for that matter. 'But what about...?')

hS

Oh, oh, oh, I think it's... by Iximaz on 2015-03-27 16:17:00 UTC Reply

A plant!

As a seed, when it germinates, it's born in the dark, and feeds on the water, and when plants burn, usually their roots remain. *shrug*

How's this:

~~What have I got in my pockets?~~

Little Nanny Etticote
In a white petticoat,
And a red nose.
The longer she stands,
The shorter she grows.

Expand this post →

Ooh, I like that answer. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 16:29:00 UTC Reply

It's not the one I had in mind, but seriously, am I likely to say any answers are wrong, given my behaviour on this thread?

As for Nanny there... sounds like a flower riddle, but I can't come up with a 'right' answer. So how about some wrong ones?

-An ice lolly, melting in the sun. Probably one of those rocket-shaped ones, only mostly white with a red top.
-A literal old lady. Her back won't hold up to standing so long.
-An astronaut on a high-gravity body, for the same reason. ^_^
-A snowwoman!
-An exponential decay curve, drawn in red ink. The longer it gets (ie, further along the x-axis), the shorter it is (ie, lower on the y-axis).

hS

Expand this post →

Not bad, but it was a candle. ;) by Iximaz on 2015-03-27 17:02:00 UTC Reply

Here's another:

Elizabeth, Lizzie, Betsy, and Bess
All went together to seek a bird's nest.
They found a bird's next with five eggs laid.
If they each took one out, how many remained?

Oh, I've got it! by Fasoula on 2015-03-27 17:51:00 UTC Reply

Four, because Elizabeth goes by many names. Lizzy, Beth and Bess are each one of them.

Here's another that I just made up:
When it's hot I am cold
When it's cold I am dead
I peek through the window
or hang over your head.

What am I?

Expand this post →

And this is why we press the "Preview Message" button. by Scapegrace on 2015-03-27 20:06:00 UTC Reply

Sigh.

Anyways:-

Each mark the grave of frittered sun
Each mark that shows what has been done
Each hill is scattered; not beyond
The ken of those whose eyes abscond
To those far-flung and hidden glades
Beneath the hanging dark of shades
Each mark the grave of frittered sun
Each mark to show what has been done.

And I made that one up just now, so apologies if it's rubbish. =]

Expand this post →

By any chance... by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 20:57:00 UTC Reply

... is it freckles?

[[Agent Freckles: What? Me? Huh?

Agent Sandra: No, not you. Shh.]]

hS

Well, that was pointless. by Scapegrace on 2015-03-28 00:45:00 UTC Reply

Yes. =]

Well, my first thought... by Scapegrace on 2015-03-27 19:58:00 UTC Reply

Was an air-conditioning unit, like a fan or something.

Huh, that one's changed in the last century. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 17:05:00 UTC Reply

It shows up in Pygmalion in slightly different form, but with the meaning preserved.

And the answer, of course, is: all of them, because the police take a dim view of budding ecoterrorists.

Or: none, because after taking an egg, why would you stay out in the woods?

^_~

hS

Expand this post →

They threw them back and recaught them. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 07:45:00 UTC Reply

Or one of the sons was three. "Well done, Jimmy! You caught that fishy all by yourself!"

One of them was dynamite fishing, and 'caught' the fish one of the others had on his line.

One man is the son of another, and has his own daughter - though she's not present. The other is a son (obviously!) of another absent couple.

One of the fish got away. ^_~

hS

Expand this post →
Why don't we make it a logic puzzle chain? by Fasoula on 2015-03-27 05:07:00 UTC Reply

Because, I cannot get enough of these things.

Here's a classic:
Three missionaries and three cannibals need to cross a river. They come across a boat that can carry two at a time. At least one person must be present to row the boat and if at any time the cannibals outnumber the missionaries on one side (including any in the boat), they will eat them. How can all people present be ferried safely to the other side?

Swim. ^_~ by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 07:37:00 UTC Reply

Or build another boat - the fact that there's both missionaries and cannibals present implies we're in some kind of 'primitive' society, which suggests the cannibals know how to build boats of some kind (that being a pretty important skill).

Or side with the cannibals and just let the missionaries get eaten. Down with cultural imperialism!

Walk upstream until the river is narrow enough to ford. This clearly isn't a meticulously-planned journey, since they didn't have a way to cross the river sorted in advance.

Track down the person who owns the boat and ask if they have another. I'm shocked that these missionaries were planning to steal it!

Tie a rope to the back of the boat and have the four who can't fit in hold onto it and be towed across.

Leave the wolf. Why did you have a wolf?

hS

Expand this post →
Game Theory? Not exactly my strength. by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 06:20:00 UTC Reply

But here it goes:

1. M,C cross. M returns. C remains.
2. C,C cross. C returns. C remains.
3. M,M cross. M, C returns. M, C remain.
4. M,M cross. C returns. M,M,M remain
5. C,C cross. C returns. M,M,M,C remain
6. C,C cross. No return. M,M,M,C,C,C remain.

Problem solved.

Or find a bigger boat.

Expand this post →

For the next game... by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 06:46:00 UTC Reply

There are three cups A, B, and C. The rules are simple: All three cups must be right side up. Or in other words, capable of holding a liquid at the time. You must turn two cups at the same time. Cup B is upside down. You have six moves. Turn all Cups right side up.

1: Means right side up
0: Upside down

A=1
B=0
C=1

Remember 6 moves or less.

Expand this post →

I'm just gonna leave this here... by AdmiralSakai on 2015-03-27 13:52:00 UTC Reply

http://www.pidaychallenge.com/go/
Go get a fourth cup. Turn it and B over. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 07:48:00 UTC Reply

Distract the person setting the rules and turn the cups over while she's not looking.

Using a hacksaw, cut the 'bottom' off Cup B, and slide a piece of thin wood covered in glue under it. Wait half an hour, and ta-da! It can now hold water.

Point out that Cup B can already hold liquid - it's got a reasonably watertight seal against the tabletop.

Point out that the starting conditions break the rule that 'all three cups MUST be right-side up'. Modify the starting condition so that this rule is met.

^_~

hS

Expand this post →

Under the given conditions it is supposed to be impossible (nm) by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 08:56:00 UTC Reply

Nonsense. I just did it five times. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 10:15:00 UTC Reply

Well, four, if you discount the one which is 'cheat'. It's not my fault if you refuse to think outside the box for your think-outside-the-box logic puzzle.

hS

Its supposed to be mathematically impossible by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 16:45:00 UTC Reply

Unless I set it up wrong

Which is entirely possible. I am no mathematician.

Yes, I know. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 16:48:00 UTC Reply

But you didn't ask me to do it mathematically: you asked me to take three cups arranged like this:

u n u

And turn them into three water-holding cups. Which I did. Five different ways. The real world ain't a maths puzzle.

hS

Expand this post →

Fine. You got me there. by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 16:54:00 UTC Reply

Though Math does touch everything in some, way, shape, or form.

I've heard versions of this one, and I never understood them (nm by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:16:00 UTC Reply

Easy peasy! by Seafarer on 2015-03-27 04:22:00 UTC Reply

Hiding with enters:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
One of the fathers is the other father's son, so only three people are present. Father 1 ----> father 2/son 1 ----> son 2

Expand this post →

More technically... by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:21:00 UTC Reply

It's a little boy, his father, and his grandfather, but you're right.
Unfortunately... by Fasoula on 2015-03-27 04:42:00 UTC Reply

The enter thing doesn't work here. It just skips the paragraph breaks and displays your message in its entirety.

Fun Fact! I started this post to present an even easier peasi...er solution, but I realized ST probably didn't mean there were three fish in the lake in total.

Here's another riddle-story. by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:14:00 UTC Reply

The Emperor of China decided to test his staff to find the wiser ones, so he put them into two groups. Both groups were put in separate rooms, and both received a wide round table of the best food and drink, but the catch was that each man had to sit three feet away from the table. This was because they all had to eat the food with chopsticks that were three feet long.

The Emperor told them he would come back in an hour to see how much food they had eaten. When he finally returned, the first group was angry, frustrated and hungry. On the contrary, the second group was happy and well-fed. What caused the difference?

So many options. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 13:32:00 UTC Reply

The first room was dark.

In the first room, one of the men quickly threw a tantrum and tipped over the paper.

The Emperor didn't sort the people at random: the people in the first room were the ones with allergies. Guess what the food was.

The first room had a table big enough that they couldn't do the feeding-each-other thing, because they couldn't reach.

The men in the second room cheated. ^_^

The first room's food was soup.

The men in the second room, quite sensibly, snapped the excess two feet off their chopsticks.

The men in the second room ordered in pizza and, since it wasn't included in the original edict, ate it with their hands.

No-one bothered to tell the men in the second room the rules.

Honestly, I think 'the first room was dark' is my best one here. Though I do like the cheating, too.

hS

Expand this post →
My guess by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 05:18:00 UTC Reply

First group tried feeding themselves, second group worked together.

Yes. First group fed themselves, second one fed each other. (nm) by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:24:00 UTC Reply
Bingo, Overlord! Well done! Here's another... by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:20:00 UTC Reply

How can a baby fall out of 12-story building and live?

Ooh, I know this one! by Iximaz on 2015-03-27 13:14:00 UTC Reply

Though the variation I heard was a 'thousand story' building.

It's a library. Though a pretty poor excuse for a library if it only has a thousand stories. ^w^
It's a baby spider. ^_^ (nm) by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 12:51:00 UTC Reply
Well...Babies Bounce... by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 05:42:00 UTC Reply

Seeing as it only says a 12 story building and not the window of the 12th Story, I would have to say fell out the first story window, probably on to a nice patch of grass maybe about three feet or so from the window. Falls from a window onto a balcony.

Yep, he fell from the ground window. Here's an actual riddle by Silenthunder on 2015-03-27 05:51:00 UTC Reply

Give me food and I will thrive, give me drink and I will die. What am I?

Ooh, I know this one! by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 12:54:00 UTC Reply

Elphaba, Thropp Third Descending, heir to the Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, and occasional rebel against the Emerald City government. She is, after all, allergic to water... ^_~

"They say her soul is so unclean -- pure water will melt her!"
What?!
"Melt her! Please, somebody go and melt her...!"

hS

Expand this post →

Except she isn't. by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 23:34:00 UTC Reply

It was all a ruse. Assuming you chose to subscribe to Wicked's interpretation of the events.

She is in the bo-ok. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-28 15:58:00 UTC Reply

Which is where the Eminent Thropp is found; in the musical, her father is the noble one, which says interesting things about the producers...

hS

Gotcha by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-31 06:04:00 UTC Reply

When you quoted the musical, I just assumed musical. I have never had the opportunity to read the book. So my only exposure is the musical.

Hmm. by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 05:59:00 UTC Reply

Fire. If one throws wood (food) on a fire it will grow. If one throws water (drink) it will expire.

Riddle me this, Riddle me that: ~~Whose afraid of the big black bat~~ What is deaf, dumb, and blind, and always tells the truth?

Unless it's a grease fire. by Iximaz on 2015-03-27 12:38:00 UTC Reply

If you throw water on one of those? BOOM.

Anyway, what five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?

Let me see... by [EvilAI]UBEROverlord on 2015-03-27 16:47:00 UTC Reply

Short
On average, 'board'. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 12:50:00 UTC Reply

It becomes 'boarder', which is only 28.5% tall letters, rather than a full 40%. ^^

Also, 'elope'. Add x and d, shuffle the letters around, and watch it explode. Guarantee it'll end up shorter once the bits hit the ground.

I'm still trying to find a chemical which has five elements in it, and is only two atoms shy of an explosive chemical... no luck, sadly.

Oh, and also the thing you're thinking of, which is a nicely out-of-the-box answer. ^^

hS

Expand this post →

Your answers never cease to amuse me. by Iximaz on 2015-03-27 13:01:00 UTC Reply

Okay, say I have three crates of fruit: one apples, one oranges, one apples and oranges. BUT, the labels are mixed up. Reaching into ONE, and ONLY one box, how do I solve the problem of which label goes where?

And don't ask why you can't look inside all of them, because reasons.

An actual, scientific answer. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 16:20:00 UTC Reply

Which doesn't even bend the rules as stated.

Weigh all three boxes. Since you haven't stated that they're all the same size, I'll also measure them and calculate their volumes. From their masses and volumes, I can calculate their density.

Apples and oranges are roughly the same size; we can therefore assume that they will pack in 3D space in virtually the same way, and that a mixture of the two will do so as well.

Apples and oranges have a different density. Therefore, our three boxes will have three different densities: the one in the middle will be apples+oranges, while the most and least dense will be homogeneous.

I suspect that the apples will be densest, but we don't need to make that assumption: take a single piece of fruit from the densest box. The least dense will be the other variety.

And that's how a scientist would go about it. ^_^

hS

Expand this post →
Oh, can I do one? by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 13:20:00 UTC Reply

I cannot see what you let in. Because of me, neither can anyone else. Who are we?

hS
I CAN look inside all of them. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 13:16:00 UTC Reply

You never told me I couldn't, just that I can't REACH into more than one.

Alternately, I throw two boxes away, and check to see what I've got left.

I shake all three boxes. One of them will make a horrible squishing sound as the apples smash the oranges. I then check one of the other two and label all three correctly.

I leave the crates for a week and sniff them. Rotting apples and rotting oranges smell totally different.

I slap the labels on at random. Well, you never said you wanted them on the corresponding boxes at the end.

Ehm... given that you've implied the labels are currently on the boxes and are all 'mixed up', that suggests no box is correctly labelled. I check one box. Let's say it's apples. I take the label off the box that's labelled apples and stick it on there. Then, since I know that the labels are all wrong, I take the remaining label off its box, stick it on the one I just cleared, and stick my spare on the last box.

I make up three labels saying 'FRUIT', stick them on, then reach in and have myself a snack. ^_^ All this labelling is making me hungry! (Man, I hope it's an orange...)

hS

Expand this post →

Mathematics. by Huinesoron on 2015-03-27 08:06:00 UTC Reply

That guard from the 'one tells the truth, the other lies' after a few too many people have gotten angry at him.

A deaf, dumb, blind and honest person.

The sentence 'This is a sentence.'

Radiocarbon dating.

A heavily-weathered statue. Everything it 'tells' an archaeologist will be true. ^_~

hS

Expand this post →