Reply
Mon 27 Dec, 2004 01:49 am
I have both the question and answer. I just need to know how it's done.
A local toy store prices its merchadise according to the owner's whim. A doll costs $12, a kite costs $15, a skateboard costs $34, and a ring toss costs $24. According to this system, how much will a blackboard cost? (answer $31)
I can't figure it out.
It could be based on the vowels in the words.
dOll = $12 implies O = $12
rIng tOss = $24 implies I = $12
kItE = $15 implies E = $3
blAckbOArd = skAtEbOArd - E = $34 - $3 = $31
so that A's would be $9.5?
I do not own a toy store...
whim
Here's another way, which is kinda funny:
Take the total number of letters in the toy's name and add 1. Next, subtract 1 for every consonant used more than once. Multiply that result by 3. Finally, add 1 for every vowel used more than once.
A coworker gave me the puzzle w/o the answer, and I came up with that formula to correspond with the puzzle values, not really expecting it to work for the "official" answer, so got a kick out of it when it did.
doll: (4+1-1)*3+0=12
kite: (4+1-0)*3+0=15
ring toss: (8+1-1)*3+0=24
skateboard: (10+1)*3+1=34
blackboard: (10+1-1)*3+1=31
This puzzle was in a Mensa 365 Brain Puzzlers Calendar - the outside of the box has the puzzle and the anwer with no explanation of the answer.
My coworker just showed me that March 11 has that same puzzle, but with their explanation for their answer. The way they came up with the answer is different from both markr's and mine above, and I do think it's a better way. (There's a challenge for ya, markr ;-) )
Am not posting their solution here, but anyone with the calendar can find it on that date.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace