HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Small 'un
From: engf002@csc.canterbury.ac.nz
Date: 8 Sep 92 09:32:51 +1200
Organization: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

A silly puzzle:

If swabs live in Swabsville,
And troks live in Troksville,
Who lives in Winchmore?
And why ?

(NB It is not winches, witches or wenches - everyone's first answers)

Andrew Earl
-- He who laughs last laughs second-to-last next time. --
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: wiegand@rtsg.mot.com (Robert Wiegand)
Subject: Re: Since we are on the topic of puzzles ...
Reply-To: motcid!wiegand@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: "world"
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 18:07:33 GMT

crossgl@infonode.ingr.com (Gordon Cross) writes:


>Given a simple balance scale, what is the minimum number of weights needed to
>accurately measure an unknown weight between 1 and 100 pounds to within 1
>pound.  To complete this puzzle, list the poundages of each weight you are
>using.
>-- 

>Gordon Cross          UUCP:     uunet!ingr!infonode!crossgl   "all opinions are
>111 Westminister Way  INTERNET: crossgl@infonode.ingr.com    mine and not those
>Madison, AL 35758     MA BELL:  (205) 730-7842               of my employer."

Using a binary search:

weights of: 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1 pounds

7 tries maximum

Start with heaviest weight. If heavier then remove it, otherwise
leave it on.

Repeat for each wieght.

This will work for objects up to 255 pounds.


-- 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Wiegand - Motorola Inc.
uunet!motcid!wiegand
Disclamer: I didn't do it - I was somewhere else at the time.
From: Dave.Aronson@p11.f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Math Quiz-tion
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 12:13:58 -0500

Once upon a time, cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA) wrote:

 CD> given any arbitrary integer, is it always possible to find two other
 CD> integers, so that the three can be related in the same way that (3,4,5)
 CD> and (5,12,13) and several other numbers are related ?

Sundar_Prasad@mtsg.ubc.ca replied:

 SP> If i (the arbitrary integer) is even, then:
 SP>      j  =  (i^2)/4  -  1    and    k  =  (i^2)/4  +  1
 SP> eg. if i = 14; j = 48 and k = 50.
 SP> If i (the arbitrary integer) is odd, then:
 SP>      j  =  (i^2  -  1)/2    and    k  =  (i^2  +  1)/2
 SP> eg. if i = 17; j = 144 and k = 145.

and I also replied:

 DA> For an odd one, use half the numbers on either side of its square.
 DA> For an even one, use double the numbers that you would for half of it.

(which works out to the same thing for all but multiples of 4, and, as I hadn't
noticed until recently, leaves one stuck on an exception (or degenerate case, if
having two numbers equal is OK) in the case of powers of 2).

CJD then replies to us:

 CJD> .....And I thought I was the only one. :-(  I sort of "discovered" this
 CJD> result (Sundar's version) a few years ago. Please 
 CJD> tell me this isn't some
 CJD> common corollary from a primary school textbook?

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were, but I've never seen any formal
statement of it.  Seems every time I come up with a neat mathematical
observation, some Greek beat me to it by a few millenia.  Other ones I noticed
include the special case of the Binomial Theorem in which the second number is 1
(i.e., n^2 + 2n + 1 = (n+1)^2), in about 2nd grade, and that the sum as x runs
from 1 to n of (2x-1) = n^2, in 10th grade.  I'd bet most of us have had a
similar experience, tho not necessarily in math.


Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: knechod@stacc.med.utah.edu (Kevin Nechodom)
Subject: Re: Brain teaser SOLUTION
Organization: University of Utah STACC
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 92 01:11:07 GMT

In article <1992Sep10.151518.13281@hsr.no> onar@hsr.no (Onar Aam) writes:

>A very bright and sunny Day 
>The Priest didst to the Verger say:
>"Last Monday met I Strangers three
>None of which were known to Thee.
>I ask'd Them of Their Age combined
>Which amounted twice to Thine!
>A Riddle now will I give Thee:
>Tell Me what Their Ages be!"
>
>So the Verger ask'd the Priest:
>"Give to Me a Clue at least."
>"Keep Thy Mind and Ears awake
>And see what Thou of this can make:
>Their Ages multiplied make plenty;
>Fifty and Ten Dozens Twenty."
>
>The Verger had a sleepless Night
>To try to get Their Ages right.
>"I almost found the Answer right.
>Please shed on it a little Light."
>"A little Clue I give to Thee,
>I'm older than all Strangers three."
>After but a little While
>The Verger answered with a Smile:
>"Inside My Head has rung a Bell.
>Now I know the Answer well!"
>
>The Question is:
>
>How old is the Priest?
>               =======

The puzzler tried to take the test;
Intriguing rhymes he wished to best.
But "Fifty and ten dozens twenty"
made his headache pound aplenty.
When he finally found some leisure,
He took to task this witty treasure.

"The product of the age must be
Twenty-Four Hundred Fifty!"
Knowing that, he took its primes,
permuted them as many times
as needed, til he found amounts
equal to, by all accounts,
twice the Verger's age, so that
He would have that next day's spat.

The reason for the lad's confusion
was due to multiple solution!
Hence he needed one more clue
to give the answer back to you!
Since only one could fit the bill,
and then confirm the priest's age still,
the eldest age of each solution
by one could differ, with no coercion.  <=(Sorry)

Else, that last clue's revelation
would not have brought information!
With two, two, five, seven, and seven,
construct three ages, another set of seven.
Two sets of three yield sixty-four,
Examine them, yet one time more.
The eldest age of each would be
forty-nine, and then, fifty!

With lack of proper rhyme and meter,
I've tried to be the first completor
of this poem and a puzzle;
my poetry, you'd try to muzzle!
And lest you think my wit is thrifty,
The answer, of course, must be fifty!
If dispute, you wish to tender,
note my addresss, as the sender!

-- 
Kevin Nechodom UofU STACC        | Great minds talk about ideas.
 UofU doesn't even know I exist; | Good minds talk about things.
 how would they care what I say? | Little minds talk about other people.
knechod@stacc.med.utah.edu       | Which are you? (paraphrased from old RD)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: onar@hsr.no (Onar Aam)
Subject: Brain teaser
Organization: Rogaland University Centre
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 15:15:18 GMT


Here is an amusing little problem for anyone who does not believe anything is
impossible:



A very bright and sunny Day 
The Priest didst to the Verger say:
"Last Monday met I Strangers three
None of which were known to Thee.
I ask'd Them of Their Age combined
Which amounted twice to Thine!
A Riddle now will I give Thee:
Tell Me what Their Ages be!"

So the Verger ask'd the Priest:
"Give to Me a Clue at least."
"Keep Thy Mind and Ears awake
And see what Thou of this can make:
Their Ages multiplied make plenty;
Fifty and Ten Dozens Twenty."

The Verger had a sleepless Night
To try to get Their Ages right.
"I almost found the Answer right.
Please shed on it a little Light."
"A little Clue I give to Thee,
I'm older than all Strangers three."
After but a little While
The Verger answered with a Smile:
"Inside My Head has rung a Bell.
Now I know the Answer well!"





The Question is:

How old is the Priest?
               =======

Clue: This is not a joke. It IS possible to solve the problem. 



Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: Kalter@unh.edu
Subject: Post a mini-faq more often??
Organization: University of New Hampshire  -  Durham, NH
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 15:18:08 GMT

Perhaps a one-page weelky memo might be in order, giving who-to-contact,...
Any info on collefge groups??
From: Dave.Aronson@p11.f120.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Dave Aronson)
Sender: Uucp@blkcat.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: 4 triangles of equal size out of 6 straws of equal length.
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 12:34:32 -0500

rad@genco.bungi.com (Bob Daniel) writes:

 BD> With 6 straws of equal length, make 4 triangles of equal size (in area).

There are several answers, but the three I like best are to make a tetrahedron
(challenge the 2D assumption) this one:

    /\
 _\/__\/_  (challenge the "must only make complete figures" assumption),
  /\  /\
 /__\/__\
    /\

and this one:
 ________
 \  /\  /
  \/  \/  (challenge the "must only make triangles" assumption).
  /\  /\
 /__\/__\

(use your imagination to correct for character cell aspect ratio....)

Related problem: using 6 straws of equal length, make 6 equal triangles - not
just in size, but also in angles (i.e., congruent).  Hint: probably easier for
certain people, to whom the pattern is familiar.  The same principle can be
applied to any even number greater than 4, and also to 5.
From: lehlers@dk.oracle.com (Lars Ehlers)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Mensa - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions [monthly]
Date: 15 Sep 92 11:01:52 GMT
Reply-To: lehlers@dk.oracle.com (Lars Ehlers)
Organization: Oracle Denmark

In article <FAQ:Sept92@miracle.com> phil@miracle.com (Phil Hill) writes:
>
>* MENSA DEMOGRAPHICS (USA)
>
>  64.4% male, 35.4% female (0.2% won't say)
>
>  54% between 30-49 years of age, 14% under 29, 0.32% over 80
>

Out of curiousity I looked at the demographics for Danish Mensa:

80.0% male, 20.0% female

50.72% between 30-49 years of age, 41.35% under 29, 0% over 80

Age average: 33.3 years

>
>* WORLDWIDE NUMBER OF MEMBERS
>
>  Country                 Members
>
>  USA                       50483  New Zealand                 327
>  UK+Ireland                35608  Denmark                     295
                                                                ^^^
Danish Mensa now has 416 members and I sure hope we will be able to attract
more female members in the future :-)


-- 
Lars Ehlers                  |  lehlers@dk.oracle.com
Oracle Denmark               |                        
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: david7@garfield.cs.mun.ca (David Arenillas)
Subject: Dots
Organization: CS Dept, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1992 22:53:24 GMT

For that matter nobody said anything about the lines having to be straight
lines.  You can connect all nine dots simply by drawing one S-shaped line
through them.

I think these type of "assumption" problems are ridiculous since at some
point we have too make assumptions about every aspect of life.



- Dave

Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Subject: Re: An even SHORTER Puzzle
Originator: cjdcosta@zepplin.ece.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 03:33:09 GMT


dens@flammulated.owlnet.rice.edu (Dennis Allen Schmitz) writes------->
>>   On a day that he finds 36 cigarette butts, how many cigarettes will
>>   he get to smoke?
>>
>>   Make any "reasonable" :-) assumptions. This is fairly straightforward.
>>   Of course, the answer is NOT 6. 
>
> The answer is, of course 7. Plus he gets a single cigarette butt start
> on his next collection.
>

Yeah. Good show. Dave Hunt got it too.  
 
> Speaking of an ex-smoker, though, I have to say that I've never heard
> of anything more disgusting than rolling butts into new cigarettes.

Sorry about that. Although, the impropriety or otherwise of these objects 
was not up for evaluation here. Neverthless, (belated disclaimer) I share 
your revulsion. And I shall not- or dare not- comment on your "rolling butts" 
phrase, just in case.... never mind. Peace. (I've GOT to stop these 
late nite postings..)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: wicks@meena.cc.uregina.ca
Subject: 4 triangles of equal size out of 6 straws of equal length
Date: 11 SEP 92 08:41:21 GMT
Organization: University of Regina, Regina, Sask., Canada

<with 6 straws of equal length, make 4 triangles of equal size(in area)
Simple! make one triangle with 3 straws and build a pyramid with the other 3 straws with the first triangle as base. We get a 3 dimensional figure with 4 triangles.
Wicks
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: skh4161@mvs.draper.com (Kjeld Hvatum)
Subject: Re: WARNING! (Re: Since we are on the topic of puzzles ...)
Organization: Draper Laboratory
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 21:13:00 GMT


>From: The Polymath <hollombe@polymath.tti.com>
>Message-ID: <1992Sep14.183523.25512@ttinews.tti.com>
>
>I've got a copy I've been working on in my odd, spare moments (few and far
>between these days).  It's not all that impressive.

Compared to what?  The questions are far more interesting than anything
on a standardized test from the ETS, for example.  The test has been
professionally review in Test Critiques as a "pioneering effort" in
high-end testing.

>analogies/vocabulary section trivial, especially since you're allowed to
>use references.

Then why do so few people get high scores?

>I suspect the math section is equally trivial to anyone
>familiar with advanced calculus and/or math puzzles in general (I'm not,

Calculus, never mind advanced calculus, is not needed at all.  In fact,
the world's highest scorer on the test hadn't taken calculus.

>Ho hum.  Just another ego trip. (And to speak of compromising it is just
>plain silly.  It's public.  The answers are known.

No they're not - not by the general public, and certainly not by many
who bother sending in the answers.  Again, how come so few people have
high scores?  Incidentally, if you haven't actually sent in your answers
yet, perhaps you've misled yourself - some people don't get anywhere
near the score they thought they would.  A Wall Street Journal article
(front page, April 9) tells of a mathematician "who sneered: '...that's
merely a problem in combinatorics.'  ...the mathematician later took the
Mega test and got only three nonverbal problems right {out of 24}."

>No psychologist or institution of learning would take it seriously.
)there's nothing to compromise).

Not only has it been professionally reviewed, the test has been *taken*
by psychologists, as well lawyers, doctors, engineers, and even a famous
politician.  On the other hand, there are professionals who think the
Wechsler IQ test and the CEEB SAT should not be taken seriously by any
psychologist or institution of learning.  What can I say?

If you don't enjoy the Mega Test, don't take it.  But others have
enjoyed it immensely, and that's a fact.  Perhaps they're just not up to
your level where the whole test becomes insufferably boring.
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: knechod@stacc.med.utah.edu (Kevin Nechodom)
Subject: Re: simple puzzle
Organization: University of Utah STACC
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 07:23:08 GMT

In article <1992Sep10.035121.22665@ncsu.edu> cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA) writes:

>A little modification of the original problem:-
>
>You have 27 coins, one of which is HEAVIER than the rest. 
>Once again, find the minimum number of trials with a 
>weighing balance that you'd need to single this coin out.

                  Pick 2 stacks of 9 from the pile of 27.
                                     /\
           (one stack is heavier)   /  \  (the two stacks are equal)
                                   /    \
                                  /      \
       From the heavier stack of 9,       From the other stack of 9,
                                  \      /
                                   \    /
                                    \  /
                                     \/
                             Pick 2 stacks of 3.
                                     /\
           (one stack is heavier)   /  \  (the two stacks are equal)
                                   /    \
                                  /      \
       From the heavier stack of 3,       From the other stack of 3,
                                  \      /
                                   \    /
                                    \  /
                                     \/
                               Weight any 2.
                                     /\
           (one coin is heavier)    /  \  (the two coins are equal)
                                   /    \
                                  /      \
 The suspect coin is the heavy one.       The suspect coin is the 3rd.

And it took 3 weighings.

>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>|   Christopher J. D'Costa           cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu |
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


-- 
Kevin Nechodom UofU STACC        | Did you ever wonder how those little Weebles
 UofU doesn't even know I exist; | ever got any sleep?  I mean, I could never
 how would they care what I say? | sleep standing up!  What if they really
knechod@stacc.med.utah.edu       | WANTED to fall down?  Could they?
From: clong@remus.rutgers.edu (Chris Long)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: Math Quiz-tion
Date: 11 Sep 92 10:59:56 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

If (1,0,1) is acceptable the answer is clearly "yes", otherwise the
answer is "no" since 0 and 1 are the only perfect squares differing
by unity.
-- 
Chris Long, 265 Old York Rd., Bridgewater, NJ  08807-2618
From: fisher@qut.edu.au
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: November weekends without RGs.
Date: 9 Sep 92 10:18:19 EST
Organization: Queensland University of Technology

I often tell people how good it is to be in Mensa if you travel around
the world because whenever you pass through the USA you can always be
assured that on any weekend there will be an RG or two to choose from. 

This year my airmail copy of the September American Mensa Bulletin
actually arrived airmail in a timely fashion and lo and behold there are
NO RGs on the weekend following the IBD in Amsterdam (Nov 6-8) or even
the following one. Well it is time I spent time with my family in New
Zealand anyway. 

I may get to Waterbury or Orlando or Sacremento Oct 23-25 on the way
over instead but I prefer going around the world in a westerly
direction. Also that will leave me with 5 nights with no accommodation 
to fill in before Flevohof.

I must make my travel arrangements but if anyone knows of unlisted 
activities I could get to with out wandering far from the stopovers 
allowed on a cheap air ticket from Australia to Amsterdam I would be
grateful. 

Bill Fisher
Chairman, Australian Mensa Inc.
From: clong@remus.rutgers.edu (Chris Long)
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
Subject: Re: 4 triangles of equal size out of 6 straws of equal length.
Date: 11 Sep 92 02:22:06 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

Tetrahedron.
-- 
Chris Long, 265 Old York Rd., Bridgewater, NJ  08807-2618
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com ("Johnson")
Subject: Re: Dots
Reply-To: johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com
Organization: Motorola Wireless Enterprises, Schaumburg, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 01:01:33 GMT

In article <1992Sep7.225324.28585@cs.mun.ca>, david7@garfield.cs.mun.ca (David Arenillas) writes:
=)For that matter nobody said anything about the lines having to be straight
=)lines.  You can connect all nine dots simply by drawing one S-shaped line
=)through them.
=)
=)I think these type of "assumption" problems are ridiculous since at some
=)point we have too make assumptions about every aspect of life.

This, of course, was exactly my point.  For those who are still curious,
possible solutions are:

1.  Don't bother making the lines straight.  If the problem specifies
    straight lines, claim that you drew them in a curved space.

2.  Make the line thick enough to cover as many dots as you want.

3.  Make the dots big, so that the lines can be distant from thier center
    points and still connect them.  For that matter, make them so big
    that they're already connected.

4.  Fold the paper, so that the dots overlap as needed.

5.  Tear up the paper into three pieces and arrange the pieces so all
    the dots are in a straight line, then draw the line through them.
    For that matter, make it nine pieces and stack them all on top of
    each other.

Careful application of rules 2-5 actually reduces the requirements to *no*
lines.  While "assumptions" problems are sometimes amusing, they're not
particularly interesting.
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  "Johnson"                              | "                               " |
|  johnson@sleipnir.mnesouth.corp.mot.com |               -- Marcel Marceau   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Disclaimer:  It's just my Tourette's Syndrome acting up again.             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath)
Subject: Re: WARNING! (Re: Since we are on the topic of puzzles ...)
Organization: The Cat Factory
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 18:35:23 GMT

In article <1992Sep11.172030.28666@cbnewse.cb.att.com> gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:

}So, what's the Mega Test like ...

I've got a copy I've been working on in my odd, spare moments (few and far
between these days).  It's not all that impressive.  I found the
analogies/vocabulary section trivial, especially since you're allowed to
use references.  I suspect the math section is equally trivial to anyone
familiar with advanced calculus and/or math puzzles in general (I'm not,
but I'm still making progress).

Ho hum.  Just another ego trip. (And to speak of compromising it is just
plain silly.  It's public.  The answers are known.  No psychologist or
institution of learning would take it seriously.  There's nothing to
compromise).

The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@polymath.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp                   Turn the rascals out!
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (310) 450-9111, x2483     No incumbents in '92!
Santa Monica, CA  90405
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Subject: Re: Re: 4 triangles of equal size out of 6 straws of equal length.
Originator: cjdcosta@zepplin.ece.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu (CHRISTOPHER J DCOSTA)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 04:12:59 GMT


gmark@cbnewse.cb.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes:
>
> >[...]
> >Correction:  about 5 seconds to come up with the solution, and about
> >5 hours to implement it on a slippery countertop surrounded by rowdy
> >drunken patrons.  10 hours if you are a rowdy drunken patron.
> >
> > - seb
>
>I got it in about two seconds, but I happened to glance at some
>carbon tetrachloride on my hands using my microscopic vision, so
>I guess I cheated.


That's okay. In a bar, you have more than just a drop of organic solvents
to inspire you. The fellowship that you experience is  stronger than mere 
sigma bonding. Almost everyone has multidimensional vision. And what with 
your wits thrashing around in the alcohol, you're just another drowning man 
clutching at straws.... 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|   Christopher J. D'Costa           cjdcosta@eos.ncsu.edu |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa
From: werme@abyss.zk3.dec.com (Eric Werme USSG)
Subject: Re: Newest Mensan
Reply-To: werme@abyss.zk3.dec.com (Eric Werme USSG)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Nashua, NH
Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1992 12:31:51 GMT

In article <1992Sep5.125251.5863@ryn.mro4.dec.com>,
shapiro@trade.enet.dec.com (Steve Shapiro) writes:
|>                               INTRODUCING
|>                          SHAPIRO RELEASE 3.0
|>                      From Steve and Jill Shapiro

|>                         DAVID EVERETT SHAPIRO


Yeah, but it takes 18 years to debug!  (And it will get viruses!)

--

I left my .sig in Alliant....
Newsgroups: rec.org.mensa