Fun counting math puzzle

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eestlinc

so is there a more direct way to solve this other than trial and error? Some solution involving modular arithmetic?

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Whatever that means.

I just looked for patterns. (SPOILER)Like how all the first steps increase by 20, and the seconds by 25. The fifth one is the one we needed so just use the almighty magic formula to work your way up the ladder 3 times (twice to find the difference and thrice to check). Find the difference 'tween the numbers playing the same role (48.828125 for the fifth ones). Then go 93.65625 (the smallest fifth step) + 48.828125 and spam your equals key 'till a whole number pops up. The End.

Edit: If your confused, reread as I added some missing words.

Yeah, that's what I want to know.

I don't know how well this would work but wouldn't you just do a x y problem? ((((((((((X-1)/5)-1)/5)-1)/5)-1)/5)-1)/5)=y

I have no clue if it would work as I just pulled it out of my ass but it kind of looks right :erm:

EDIT: Upon looking at what I typed it is bizull[img]/xxx.gif[/img][img]/xxx.gif[/img][img]/xxx.gif[/img][img]/xxx.gif[/img]z.

^ that is what i've been trying but i think i screwed up the equation :{


(SPOILER)(x-1)*5/4 - 1/5 - ((x-1)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5 - (((x-1)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5 - ((((x-1)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5 - (((((x-1)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5)*5/4 -1/5

I tried that, ed, but it seemed like more work than just plugging in values.

Plugging in numbers. You just type it into a calculator and tell it what x should be equal to and let it do the math for you.

That's what I tried at first but I had trouble making whole numbers out of it. Anyway, bedtime.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by edczxcvbnm

Plugging in numbers. You just type it into a calculator and tell it what x should be equal to and let it do the math for you.

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That works, but you won't get a whole number unless you start with (SPOILER)1,276. And I doubt there's anyway you would know to start there.

But what is x equal to? :p

EDIT: in reply to ed

I didn't have a calculator though.

yeah ok that equation doesn't work
nor does the derivative

there is so much blood on my wrists right now

I have no clue what X is equal to. I am too lazy to go get the calculator and make educated guesses...or better yet just write the forumal into a math program that would go through the numbers until there is no remainder.

I wrote a sloppy PHP bruteforce program to solve it:

http://demented3d.com/nissen/upload/prog02.jpg

Here is it working, showing the answer:

http://demented3d.com/nissen/upload/try2.php

Sweet

(SPOILER)After banging my head and getting tounge tied I came up with 3125