Yowie wrote:
For Christmas, my parents were given a Mensa calender with a puzzle for each day. They haven't opened it yet, but the sample question was: A toy shop prices toys on the whim of the owner: A doll is $12, a kite $15, a skateboard $34, and a ring toss $24. How much is a blackboard? My whole family has been working furiously on this puzzle, but even though we know the answer (it was printed on the box) we have no idea *why* $31 right Can anyone out there in RPCA land explain the solution? It will save the Greater Chapman Clan from going utterly bonkers. Yowie I can't wait to hear explanations for this one. Personally, my thoughts are a)that it says "on the whim", therefore one would not expect a pattern, and b) because the owner said? ;-) - Denise Brennasmeowmy |
[OT} Puzzle thats driving us nuts
For Christmas, my parents were given a Mensa calender with a puzzle for each
day. They haven't opened it yet, but the sample question was: A toy shop prices toys on the whim of the owner: A doll is $12, a kite $15, a skateboard $34, and a ring toss $24. How much is a blackboard? My whole family has been working furiously on this puzzle, but even though we know the answer (it was printed on the box) we have no idea *why* $31 right Can anyone out there in RPCA land explain the solution? It will save the Greater Chapman Clan from going utterly bonkers. Yowie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 20/11/04 |
Yowie wrote:
For Christmas, my parents were given a Mensa calender with a puzzle for each day. They haven't opened it yet, but the sample question was: A toy shop prices toys on the whim of the owner: A doll is $12, a kite $15, a skateboard $34, and a ring toss $24. How much is a blackboard? My whole family has been working furiously on this puzzle, but even though we know the answer (it was printed on the box) we have no idea *why* $31 right Can anyone out there in RPCA land explain the solution? It will save the Greater Chapman Clan from going utterly bonkers. Yowie By putting a piece of the puzzle into Google I got the following suggestion for a solution: QUOTE 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 UNQUOTE Source: http://www.able2know.com/forums/about41755.html -- Christine in Vantaa, Finland christal63 (at) yahoo (dot) com photos: http://photos.yahoo.com/christal63 |
"Yowie" wrote in message ... For Christmas, my parents were given a Mensa calender with a puzzle for each day. They haven't opened it yet, but the sample question was: A toy shop prices toys on the whim of the owner: A doll is $12, a kite $15, a skateboard $34, and a ring toss $24. How much is a blackboard? My whole family has been working furiously on this puzzle, but even though we know the answer (it was printed on the box) we have no idea *why* $31 right Can anyone out there in RPCA land explain the solution? It will save the Greater Chapman Clan from going utterly bonkers. Yowie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 20/11/04 You might try posting this question at alt.mensa Brigitte |
On 2004-12-29, Denise VanDyke penned:
I can't wait to hear explanations for this one. Personally, my thoughts are a)that it says "on the whim", therefore one would not expect a pattern, and b) because the owner said? ;-) One can have a whimsical pattern! -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! |
On 2004-12-29, CK penned:
By putting a piece of the puzzle into Google I got the following suggestion for a solution: QUOTE 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 UNQUOTE Source: http://www.able2know.com/forums/about41755.html What I don't get is why this sort of thing is supposed to be a test of intelligence. It's a lot like those pop quizzes they like to throw you at interviews. You might be able to determine intelligence/creativity by seeing how many possible approaches a person tries, and whether they intelligently reject the poor ones, but you can't judge intelligence by whether or not they stumble onto this particular approach! Bah! I thought about number of letters, and I thought about scoring based on height above ground at which the item was used, and a few other things ... but I didn't stumble on the vowel thing, it's true. Can you tell I don't do well on these sorts of things and have a chip on my shoulder about them? Heh. -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! |
"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message
... On 2004-12-29, CK penned: By putting a piece of the puzzle into Google I got the following suggestion for a solution: QUOTE 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 UNQUOTE Source: http://www.able2know.com/forums/about41755.html What I don't get is why this sort of thing is supposed to be a test of intelligence. It's a lot like those pop quizzes they like to throw you at interviews. You might be able to determine intelligence/creativity by seeing how many possible approaches a person tries, and whether they intelligently reject the poor ones, but you can't judge intelligence by whether or not they stumble onto this particular approach! Bah! I thought about number of letters, and I thought about scoring based on height above ground at which the item was used, and a few other things ... but I didn't stumble on the vowel thing, it's true. Can you tell I don't do well on these sorts of things and have a chip on my shoulder about them? Heh. -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! I didn't figure it out either, and I've been a member of Mensa for many years. I don't know what my reading speed is, but I do read fast, so that probably contributed to my score. Also, people who read a lot are more likely to know the answers to some of the questions. For many years I was a closet Mensan. I didn't mention my membership to anybody, because many people don't know what Mensa is. How do you explain that without souding boastful? I finally realized that I know many brilliant, talented people who wouldn't qualify for Mensa. My Dad, for instance, was probably the smartest person I've ever known, but he was a very slow reader. I also realized that IQ tests don't check for imagination, ingenuity, common sense or various types of talent. Not only that, I know many Mensans who have very poor people skills, and some with rather odd personality quirks. A Mensan I knew was killed when the ceiling-high stacks of newspapers in his house fell on him and crushed him. Now if I mention a Mensa event and somebody asks, "What is Mensa?" I say, "It's an organization for people who are good at taking IQ tests. As far as I'm concerned. that's all those tests prove - how good you are at taking that kind of test. I know highly intelligent people who freeze up when they have to take any kind of tests. I enjoy doing various word puzzles, and look at IQ tests as fun, similar to a puzzle. My good score on an IQ test doesn't prove I'm smarter than you or someone else in ways that matter much more than taking tests. Joy |
"Yoj" wrote in message
... I didn't figure it out either, and I've been a member of Mensa for many years. I don't know what my reading speed is, but I do read fast, so that probably contributed to my score. Also, people who read a lot are more likely to know the answers to some of the questions. Me too! Joy, what local chapter are you with? I'm with Gulf Coast Mensa - in fact, I'm their webmaster (http://www.gcmensa.org/). For many years I was a closet Mensan. I didn't mention my membership to anybody, because many people don't know what Mensa is. How do you explain that without souding boastful? Me too! I fear that people will ask if I cheated on the test! I've done such *INCREDIBLY* stupid things in my life (not the least of which was my first husband!!). I finally realized that I know many brilliant, talented people who wouldn't qualify for Mensa. Me too! My Dad, for instance, was probably the smartest person I've ever known, but he was a very slow reader. I also realized that IQ tests don't check for imagination, ingenuity, common sense or various types of talent. Not only that, I know many Mensans who have very poor people skills, and some with rather odd personality quirks. A Mensan I knew was killed when the ceiling-high stacks of newspapers in his house fell on him and crushed him. LOL. I was once at a Mensa Party at a member's house and we were sitting beside the pool watching as three guys were setting up a standing lamp since it was getting dark out. My friend looked over and commented, "Hmmm, three Mensans, an electrical appliance, and a large body of water. Should I call 911 now to save time later?" Now if I mention a Mensa event and somebody asks, "What is Mensa?" I say, "It's an organization for people who are good at taking IQ tests. Me too!!! (Gee, isn't this a stimulating, brillian, scintillating conversation??!! As far as I'm concerned. that's all those tests prove - how good you are at taking that kind of test. I know highly intelligent people who freeze up when they have to take any kind of tests. I enjoy doing various word puzzles, and look at IQ tests as fun, similar to a puzzle. My good score on an IQ test doesn't prove I'm smarter than you or someone else in ways that matter much more than taking tests. That says it all!!! Hugs, CatNipped Joy |
"Yoj" wrote in message
... "Monique Y. Mudama" wrote in message ... On 2004-12-29, CK penned: By putting a piece of the puzzle into Google I got the following suggestion for a solution: QUOTE 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 UNQUOTE Source: http://www.able2know.com/forums/about41755.html What I don't get is why this sort of thing is supposed to be a test of intelligence. It's a lot like those pop quizzes they like to throw you at interviews. You might be able to determine intelligence/creativity by seeing how many possible approaches a person tries, and whether they intelligently reject the poor ones, but you can't judge intelligence by whether or not they stumble onto this particular approach! Bah! I thought about number of letters, and I thought about scoring based on height above ground at which the item was used, and a few other things ... but I didn't stumble on the vowel thing, it's true. Can you tell I don't do well on these sorts of things and have a chip on my shoulder about them? Heh. -- monique, who is sometimes allowed to pet Oscar, a grey^H^H^H^Hblue-cream DLH with an attitude! I didn't figure it out either, and I've been a member of Mensa for many years. I don't know what my reading speed is, but I do read fast, so that probably contributed to my score. Also, people who read a lot are more likely to know the answers to some of the questions. For many years I was a closet Mensan. I didn't mention my membership to anybody, because many people don't know what Mensa is. How do you explain that without souding boastful? I finally realized that I know many brilliant, talented people who wouldn't qualify for Mensa. My Dad, for instance, was probably the smartest person I've ever known, but he was a very slow reader. I also realized that IQ tests don't check for imagination, ingenuity, common sense or various types of talent. Not only that, I know many Mensans who have very poor people skills, and some with rather odd personality quirks. A Mensan I knew was killed when the ceiling-high stacks of newspapers in his house fell on him and crushed him. My sister tells the story from her work - 5 radiologist/oncologists, all with PhDs and many years experience, plus her, the technician, fresh out of highschool. She was always called to cut the cake, as none of the other 5 could figure out how to cut it properly so everyone got the same sized slice. When my sister said to start by cutting the cake in half - they did. And then they had two much thinner round cakes and still none the wiser. My old boss (who is a great bloke when he's not being the boss) says that the place I work is a "sheltered workshop for the gifted". I am one of the least educated there, most people have PhDs, and a goodly portion of my colleagues are what the English would politely call "eccentric". Oh, they are are *brilliant* all right, the IQs would be off scale, and they know all there is to know about their specialisation, but most of 'em don't have a *clue* about the outside world. Only in a sheltered workshop for the gifted would a man who insists on doing animal impersonations before and after he talks to you would be tolerated. Or a man who will happily tell you anything you could ever think of about the London Underground and keeps cpoious notes on every single train he has ever seen (logged to the *second*). Another talks to himself *all* the time, you can happily eavesdrop on his entire thought process if you can keep up (I can't). My current boss is an utter literalist, so you have to be careful to say exactly what you mean, or he'll get confused. Me, I'm just as nuts, there's cat paraphenalia all over my office, and I meow at the guy who does animal impersonations and we have proper conversations in Cattish. And everyone takes this as perfectly normal. And its always a big shock when I start reading the internal work newsgroup and discover just how - errr - how different the folks out on the production line are to the people I usually work with. I guess if we can put up with the Train mad person, The Animal Impersonator, the Mad Cat Lady, The Guy That Must Whistle In the Corridor and the rest of the eccentricities in tbe building, we are a very tolerant and accepting lot. And if I throw in you here in RPCA, and the rest of the people I hang out with, it always comes as a bit of a surprise and shock that not everybody on this planet are as tolerant and accepting as the people I spend my life with. Yowie --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 19/11/04 |
"CatNipped" had some very interesting things
to say about [OT} Puzzle thats driving us nuts: LOL. I was once at a Mensa Party at a member's house and we were sitting beside the pool watching as three guys were setting up a standing lamp since it was getting dark out. My friend looked over and commented, "Hmmm, three Mensans, an electrical appliance, and a large body of water. Should I call 911 now to save time later?" [snicker] At least they weren't using liquid oxygen to jumpstart a barbecue grill. :-) -- "The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL |
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