A math problem

The Core RPGC Main Forum
1

Since you all are poo-poo heads who think you’re so smart and can answer setz’s math problem before me, here’s a conundrum for you. I’ll even explain the rule used in each step so you can see for yourselves that I’m not breaking any rules.

My Theory: 4=3

Proof:
Let a+b=c

a+b=c – premise
(4-3)a+(4-3)b=(4-3)c – addition property for equality
4a-3a+4b-3b=4c-3c – distributive property
4a+4b-3a-3b=4c-3c – communative property
4a+4b-4c=3a+3b-3c – addition property for equality
4(a+b-c)=3(a+b-c) – inverse distributive property
4=3 – multiplication property for equality

Therefore, 4=3.

Math must therefore be wrong and I’m a genius for proving it.

2

[spoiler]since a+b=c
a+b-c=0
4(0) = 3(0)
0=0

You’ve demsonstrated that you can prove anything if you can get people to miss that you divided by zero.[/spoiler]

3

Thanks, Mr. I look up answers to riddles and then tell them to everyone and spoil the whole thing or else I already knew the answer and spoiled it for everyone anyway. AKA Kraken. =(

4

Yeah kraken
You JERK.

That’s all I have, sorry :frowning:

5

Sorry, didn’t know I had to <i>look up</i> the answer. I worked it out myself.

And wait: that qualifies as a riddle?

6

rid·dle
n.
<B>1. A question or statement requiring thought to answer or understand; a conundrum.</B>
2. One that is perplexing; an enigma.

7

You’re just upset that I pointed out the “trick” without recourse to outside sources.

8

ON the other hand, if I ever get REALLY bored, I can post an airtight mathematical proof that the human race doesn’t exist, based on the limit property of calculus and simple probability.

9

Do it! DOOO EEEET!

10

They’re all the same.

11

ooh. If you guys like math riddles or problems. I have a billion of em. Some that are even really hard to find if at all on google.

12

I like the ones that go like this:

Three guys went to a bar, and at the end of their drinking, the bill was $27 ($9 / person). They gave three $10 bills to the waiter, who, for lack of smaller money, returned them a $5 bill. The guys then gave a $2 bill back to the waiter as a tip, so that each of them still kept his proper $1 change.

Now, they paid $27, plus the $2 tip to the waiter, for a total of $29. Where’s the last $1?

13

Bartender screwed himself. They paid $25 and the $2 tip. >_>

14

edit: sorry, you’re right.

15

Spent in the end:
2 tens
1 five
1 $2 bill
2 $1 bills (assuming they paid the tip with one)

They end up with $3 change from the $5 the bartender gave them as change. Is that it? If not, I know it has something to do with the $2 bill…

16

Redcomet was right. The trio gave the waiter $30, received $5 back, then gave him $2 “as a tip” – except that 30 - 5 + 2 = 27, which was the cost of the drinks to begin with. In other words, they paid the full $27 and included no tip. The riddle is entirely linguistic: it works because you unwittingly accept “as a tip,” which trips you up later.

17

But why explicitly state “a $2 bill” and not just “gave back $2”?

18

Sorry, I misread you RC. You were right in the first post (but the sum in the second still goes to $29).

The $2 bill is an attention trick.

19

Ah, alrighty. These are pretty fun. Anyone have any more?

20

I’ve heard this riddle before, only it involved a hotel and was much more difficult because it was told correctly.