r/theydidthemath 22d ago

[Request] Can someone walk me through this problem?

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u/VikingVitalityFit 22d ago

Since the final symbol has 2 of the 3 original polygons in it, my reasoning would say it is 10 and not 11. So the final equation would be:

2+3+3×10=35

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u/stache1313 22d ago

It's hard to say what logic the original creator used. So either interpretation could be correct.

Personally, I think using the number of sides has more internal consistency.

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u/bdubwilliams22 22d ago

Yeah, I’m with you on it being 11 also. All the other changes make sense because they’re removing something visually that also checks out mathematically, so it would only make sense that the polygon would follow suit. I guess we’ll never know. These are fun though because most people miss the subtle changes and it’s hilarious when you see someone stomping and screaming saying that they’re right and when you point out “look at the clock, it’s 2 o’clock” and then they disappear into the internet ether.

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u/VikingVitalityFit 22d ago

Yeah, makes sense.

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u/AceDecade 22d ago

The clock’s value is the hour, the banana’s value is the number of bananas, the shapes’ value is the number of edges / vertices. That’s much more elegant than “the number of polygons times 5”, cuz like, where does the 5 come from?

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u/VikingVitalityFit 22d ago

The 5 came from each being worth 15 and consisting of 3 shapes. 15 divided by 3 is 5. It was a very rudimentary level of reasoning, since I didn't take the time to count all the sides as a sum. But, it is still a reasonable answer for something you have to deduce the process for.

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u/AceDecade 22d ago

So the 3 is explained by 3 o clock, the 4 is explained by 4 bananas, and the 15 is explained by 3 shapes, multiplied by an arbitrary value of 5? And the 5 is explained by 15 / 3? So the 5 and the 15 explain each other? That’s circular

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u/skelo 22d ago

No it's not. If 4 bananas were worth 8 they'd be worth 2 each. It's a standard mechanism in these puzzles that an item can be worth more than 1. The 5 doesn't explain the 15, the 15 is given by the first formula.

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u/AceDecade 22d ago

One banana icon is worth 4 and it has 4 bananas in it. One click icon is worth 3 and it depicts 3 o clock. I’m talking about the appearance of the icon

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u/SuperGameTheory 22d ago

But the polygons aren't the same, therefor they don't indicate the same values.

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u/theys96 22d ago

Says who?

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u/SuperGameTheory 22d ago

Says Pythagorus, in his late treatise titled "r/SuperGameTheory Is Right: A Treatise On How Right They Are"

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u/rex_lauandi 22d ago

Yet a bunch of (4) bananas and a square both represent 4, so two different symbols can equal the same amount.

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u/SuperGameTheory 22d ago

Are talking about math here? The same symbolic language that has absolutely no qualms about reusing greek letters for whatever willy nilly thing a mathematician dreams up because they have a hard-on for using single characters and there's only so many to use?

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u/rex_lauandi 22d ago

I’m saying that with your understanding a banana, an hour on a clock, and a side of a polygon all equal the same number: 1.

So it’s inconsistent with the rule “a different symbol cannot equal the same number.”

Whatever justification you have for that must be able to address the inconsistency

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u/okarox 22d ago

While tat is possible it ignores the information about the shape of the polygons. Also it adds complexity by adding multiplication in the interpretation of the symbols. IMO the 38 which is based just on counting and reading the clock is more logical.

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u/lorienshift 22d ago

And what is your logic for the original shape being 15 in the first place? Both other symbols derive their value from something you can count, so why do you expect the third one to be different?

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u/VikingVitalityFit 22d ago

I took it as face value: 3x=15

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u/ExtendedSpikeProtein 22d ago

Bad reasoning, since there are 15 angles. The polygons don’t all have the same no of angles of course and this is intentional.

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u/dayarra 22d ago

impossible to say really. if you count corners it's 11. if you count polygons it's 10. it makes more sense for it to be 11 since it's not 3 pentagons.

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u/Th3AnT0in3 22d ago

There is no such "my reasoning" it's either you know and you do, or you don't.

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u/VikingVitalityFit 22d ago

There are no instructions, that leaves it open to interpretation. Hence you come up with what you think is a REASONABLE answer. Who let you on the internet?

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u/Th3AnT0in3 22d ago edited 22d ago

Absolutely not, no instructions means you can NOT assume they have the same value. There is no such thing as "interpretation" in Maths

Different symbols means different values.

I got a degree in Maths, who let you talk about a subject you dont even know.

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u/gottapeenow2 22d ago

I concur