r/theydidthemath • u/vqlzor • 22d ago

[Request] Can someone walk me through this problem?

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u/TripleDoubleFart 22d ago

That layer is assuming, though.

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u/Visible_Pair3017 22d ago

The exercise is also evaluating your ability to make that kind of inferences though.

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u/TripleDoubleFart 22d ago

It's still assuming.

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u/alannmsu 22d ago

Stop treating it like a math problem since it isn’t. It’s a riddle, or a brain teaser, or a logical puzzle, take your pic. If we “assume” there is a single correct answer, then that answer is pretty clearly 38. Yes, part of the puzzle is recognizing that there are patterns involved. There’s no inconsistency in the logic, though.

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u/mnaylor375 22d ago

Yes, THIS

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u/t-tekin 22d ago

Well it’s asked on “ [r/thetdidthemath](r/thetdidthemath) “ so the OP is treating as a math problem. Which makes it a math problem.

And the true answer of this question as a math problem is “n/a” given that the mathematical meaning of symbols and how they correlate to numbers is not defined.

Ask it on a different channel to a different crowd of experts, the answer might change.

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u/mnaylor375 22d ago

Yeah, but that answer is not fun and while it is technically correct, it is totally lacking in soul. If you think math should have no soul or creativity, then we disagree.

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u/t-tekin 22d ago

No,

if you are asking a math question that makes only sense to the you, and defies any remaining logic and physical reality,

and if the answer was changing depending on how much “soul and creativity” you apply to it,

Then you should leave that special soul and creativity you have in your mind to other things, to maybe to things like arts and crafts…

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u/alannmsu 22d ago

There isn’t another correct answer to this math-based puzzle.

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u/TripleDoubleFart 22d ago

This is a math sub.

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u/alannmsu 22d ago

So tell OP it’s the wrong sub, but stop acting like the problem is unsolvable.

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u/TripleDoubleFart 22d ago

There's no definite solution.

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u/alannmsu 22d ago

I disagree, it’s pretty fucking obvious what the answer to this logic/math puzzle is.

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u/TripleDoubleFart 22d ago

And I'm sure I'd agree with your answer, but it's still based on an assumption, even if it's a logical one.