Solve Cap'n Threelegs' Puzzling Sign Problem!

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter CuriousPerson
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sign
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a puzzle involving the cost of letters used in a sign for Cap'n Threelegs' Swashbuckling Academy. Participants explore the pricing structure of letters, the context of the puzzle, and express varying levels of frustration regarding its solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the signmaker's pricing based on letter usage, mentioning specific costs for certain letters but not providing a complete list.
  • Another participant claims to know the answer is 920 but does not explain how to arrive at that figure.
  • Several participants suggest that the puzzle should be categorized under "Brain Teasers," indicating a shared sentiment about its nature.
  • One participant highlights the connection to Neopets, suggesting that the pricing is related to the number of Neopet species starting with each letter.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the puzzle's value, implying that it may not be worth the effort to solve.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the puzzle is challenging and may be linked to Neopets, but there is no consensus on how to solve it or the significance of the answer.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific letter pricing and the Neopets connection, but lacks detailed assumptions or a complete breakdown of the pricing structure.

CuriousPerson
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I recently found this problem online and wasn't able to figure it out. Maybe someone here can figure out the puzzle and explain how they got it!


In celebration of Yurbles coming in for training, Cap'n Threelegs decided to make a sign for his Swashbuckling Academy that read "Welcome Yurbles to the Swashbuckling Academy." He went to the local signmaker to find out how much such a sign would cost.

"Well," the signmaker said, "my pricing is based on which letters you use. Some letters are quite pricey, while others are absolutely free. For example, the letter A costs two dollars, B costs three dollars, C costs three dollars, D costs one dollars, E costs two dollars, F costs one dollars, G costs three dollars, and H's are absolutely free! But I'm sure you don't need me to list off all of them. Still, the most expensive letter is only eight dollarss. And don't forget, the price of the letter Y recently went up."

Cap'n Threelegs commissioned the sign to be made, and handed the signmaker a one thousand dollars to pay for it.

How much change should Cap'n Threelegs receive?
 
Last edited:
Mathematics news on Phys.org
I've yet to find anyone who can answer this question and I've seen it posted on a number of other sites. Come on people, get your brains working. :)



ps The answer is 920 but don't ask me how you get there.
 
I suggest you post this under Brain Teasers.
 
Gokul43201 said:
I suggest you post this under Brain Teasers.
How about filing this under "people who are too lazy to figure out neopets riddles"?

In order to figure out the answer, you need to be aware that this is from the neopets web site, where, perhaps yurbles have recently been addeed.
 
Maybe this should be filed under people who like to make others think they have a clue, but really have no idea of what the answer is either? Hey smartass?
 
rlsuth said:
Maybe this should be filed under people who like to make others think they have a clue, but really have no idea of what the answer is either? Hey smartass?

The price per letter is related to the number of neopet species that start with that letter.
 
NateTG said:
The price per letter is related to the number of neopet species that start with that letter.

Thanks for pointing out the neopets connection Nate :) , lest anyone here might waste their time with this ridiculous "puzzle".
 

Similar threads

Undergrad The Price of Beer - Linear Algebra Problem
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
6K
Who is Responsible for a Surprise Medical Bill?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Tech: Everything Old Is New Again
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Are Inverse Problems More Complex Than Direct Problems in Mathematics?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
High School What unique contributions to math did linear algebra make?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
Design Large Sign for Wind Loads
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
10K
High School Solve Combinations Puzzle: 5 Letters ABCDE
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Admissions Safety School Programs for a Physics PhD
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
The Most Hated PC CPU
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
High School Dividing the jewel maker's diamonds -Riddle (Easy)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K