What is Puzzle: Definition and 617 Discussions

A puzzle is a game, problem, or toy that tests a person's ingenuity or knowledge. In a puzzle, the solver is expected to put pieces together in a logical way, in order to arrive at the correct or fun solution of the puzzle. There are different genres of puzzles, such as crossword puzzles, word-search puzzles, number puzzles, relational puzzles, and logic puzzles.
Puzzles are often created to be a form of entertainment but they can also arise from serious mathematical or logical problems. In such cases, their solution may be a significant contribution to mathematical research.

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  1. G

    Solving Spring Constant: A 760N Weight Puzzle

    Homework Statement A person who weighs 760 N steps onto a spring scale in the bathroom, and the spring compresses by 0.82 cm. a. What is the spring constant? B. What is the weight of another person who compresses the spring by 0.34 cm? Homework Equations FApplied = kx The...
  2. J

    Solving the High Jump Velocity Puzzle

    I have a problem. I think that I am just not seeing it the right way. "A high jumper leaves the ground at a 27degrees and lands 7.8 m away. What is the initial velocity. Every formula I have keeps giving me two variables.
  3. Y

    Solving the Puzzle: Calculating a Gravel Border Around a Shed

    Homework Statement An architect wants to make an exposed gravel border of uniform width around a shed. The shed has dimensions of 10 by 11 feet. She only has enough gravel to cover 46 sq feet. How wide should the border be? Homework Equations Area= L x W 46 sq ft is a limiting factor...
  4. F

    Solve the Positive Integer N Puzzle: 6N = defabc

    Homework Statement Im having problem of even starting this question: "Determine the positive integer N = abcdef such that 6N = defabc" any ideas? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  5. M

    Very clever and difficult number theory puzzle (with generalization)

    For any 10 digit natural number N in which the first digit corresponds to the total no of 1's. the 2nd digit corresponds to the total no of 2's. . . . the 10th digit corresponds to the total no of 0's. determine, with proof, if the number of such natural number N is finite, and if...
  6. D

    Brainteaser: Solve the Rope Puzzle with Matches!

    Hey all, I came across this fun little brainteaser, I hope you all enjoy! You are given two pieces of rope, and a book of matches. The two pieces of rope are in no way alike, they are different lengths and widths. All you know about the two pieces of rope is that if you were to light one...
  7. C

    Solving a Physics Puzzle: Unraveling the Mystery of Iron-56

    i got a atronphysics question that i have a hard time to solve it: In the most massive stars, nuclear fusion continues until iron-56 is formed in the core. consider the net process, which is to take 56 hydrogen atoms and turn them into one iron atom. a, how much enegry is released per atom...
  8. R

    Solving the Opposite Sign Puzzle: How to Get the Right Answer

    Can someone please show me how to get this. http://users.on.net/~rohanlal/Untitled-3.jpg I get the same answer but the sign of everything is the opposite.
  9. M

    What is the relationship between energy and velocity in this space vehicle?

    Oh no. My old mechanics teacher would probably disown me if he reads this. But today I was thinking about this puzzle, and I couldn't figure it. A space vehicle of mass 2kg accelerates from 0 to 100m/s from it's rest frame. The energy required to do so is given by E = 0.5mv^2 = 10000 J. Then...
  10. S

    Solve the Puzzle: Draw 4 Identical Shapes from a Square

    Hi all, Can anyone let me how the following puzzle can be solved : draw a square. divide it into four identical squares. remove the bottom left hand square. now divide the resulting shape into four identical shapes Thanks, Suppie
  11. wolram

    Impossible Puzzle - South Park Guy

    Ippossible puzzle?? http://www.metacafe.com/watch/322702/impossible_puzzle/ The guy is from South Park.
  12. F

    Resolving the Uncertainty Principle: The Puzzle of Measuring Photon Momentum

    I have a puzzle I seem to be unable to answer satisfactorily. It concerns the 'Uncertainty Principle': If you can locate a particle (any kind of quanta) at a given location within an uncertainty of deltaX then the uncertainty in its momentum deltaP must be at least h-bar/deltaX. (Please don't...
  13. M

    Puzzle with Vectors-almost there

    [SOLVED] Puzzle with Vectors--almost there! Homework Statement The sum of three vectors is zero. The magnitude of the first vector is twice the magnitude of the second. The first and second vectors are perpendicular. The direction of the third vector is along the negative x-axis. What are...
  14. I

    What Caused My Home Phone to Lose Dial Tone?

    [SOLVED] No dial tone puzzle I lost home phone dial tone last week. First, I called att service and they said it is an interior wiring problem. I confirmed this by connecting a (good) corded phone in the Network Interface Device. There was a dial tone in NID and I called my home number from...
  15. ~christina~

    What equations are needed to solve a block in oil puzzle?

    [SOLVED] block in oil Homework Statement A cubical block of wood 10.0cm on a side floats at the interface between oil and water with it's lower surface 3.00cm below the interface. The density of the oil is 0.790kg/m^3. a) what is the gauge pressure at the upper face of the block? b) what...
  16. S

    Game Theory - Heuristic for single-player puzzle

    Board (4x3) A B C D E F G H I J K L You have 11 chips [1,1,1,1], [2,2,2,2], [3,3], [4] (for example) placed randomly on the 4x3 board in slots A,...,L and one empty slot (that moves) that we'll call X, the movements are done similarly to the 8-puzzle game where X (empty) can move either...
  17. belliott4488

    Geometry puzzle: plane X cylinder = ellipse

    Actually, this is just a plain old geometry problem, really - no special tricks or anything. It just has a very nice solution, which someone showed me years ago (I take no credit). Can you prove that the intersection of a right circular cylinder and a plane is an ellipse? (Assume the...
  18. S

    Uncovering the Mystery of 5 & 6: A Puzzle

    What relationship do 5 and 6 have that make them unlike any other pair of distinct positive integers under 1000? (1000 was as far as I tested.) WARNING: Don't read the rest of this thread if you want to solve the puzzle for yourself. It's not that hard--my dad got something rather close to...
  19. E

    What is the meaning behind the letters A-M = 202 in this strange puzzle?

    The letters A-M = 202, therefore N-Z = ? This is the whole problem. It's driving me nuts. Help? =(
  20. W

    An extended and much much more challenging version of Einstein's puzzle

    Dear all I am in the process of solving a logic puzzle. This is the extended and much much more challenging version of the popular Einstein's puzzle. From the source, it is said that the person who can solve this puzzle must be brilliant. Here is the puzzle: On the Miss World night...
  21. W

    A more extended and much much more challenging version of Einstein's puzzle

    Dear all I am in the process of solving a logic puzzle. This is the extended and much much more challenging version of the popular Einstein's puzzle. From the source, it is said that the person who can solve this puzzle must be brilliant. Here is the puzzle: On the Miss World night...
  22. Saladsamurai

    Solving Charges: Coulomb's Law Puzzle

    Stupid Charges! Two identical conducting spheres, fixed in place, attract each other with an electrostatic force of .108 N when their center-to-center separation is 50 cm. The spheres are then connected by a thin conducting wire. When the wire is disconnected, the spheres repel each other with...
  23. U

    Solving a 20-Year Puzzle: A Sports Car Enthusiast's Homework

    Homework Statement A dedicated sports car enthusiast polishes the inside and outside surfaces of a hubcap that is a section of a sphere. When he looks into one side of the hubcap, he sees an image of his face 34.0 cm in back of the hubcap. He then turns the hubcap over, keeping it the same...
  24. scupydog

    What is the solution to the Dogsmead puzzle?

    http://hathcoat.org/p/cards/dogsmead.htm This is a good puzzle, i solved it in feb 2005
  25. X

    Solve the Puzzle: Cover Bedroom with Two Carpets

    Help me solve this! Hi, Firstly, merry Christmas! Secondly, this has been bugging me for a few days now, wondering if any of you can help? Or if a similar teaser exists? Right, There's a bedroom measuring 12m x 9m (108 m2) Two pieces of carpet: 1st one 10m x 10m (100 m2) 2nd...
  26. D

    Solving the Homework Puzzle: Density, Volume & Forces

    THE QUESTION IS POSTED ON THE ATTACHMENT FILE BELOWHomework Statement density of the gates is 4000 kg/m^3 width of the gate is 6mHomework Equations Static Equilibrium : every equation that sums up forces or moments equals zero You also must find the force of the weight going down F=mg but...
  27. E

    Solving the Hydrogen Atom Wavefunction Puzzle

    [SOLVED] hydrogen atom Homework Statement My book says that R_{1,0}(r) = 2(1/a_0)^{3/2} e^{-r/a_0} is a normalized wavefunction. But if you integrate R_{1,0}(r)^2 over r from 0 to infinity, you do not get 1. What's wrong here?Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  28. C

    Puzzle - can a six 3's can make 31?

    Puzzle - can a six 3's can make 31?? This ques was asked to me in cts interview can a six 3's can make 31?? u can use +,-,*,/... wanna answer reply me
  29. I

    Mirror Size & Height: Solving the Puzzle

    There is a woman who is 1,75m tall standing in front of a mirror. Her eyes are to be 10cm below the top of her head. I have to find out how small the mirror can be so that she can still see her entire body in it and how high it has to be hanging on top of the floor. Now I think I can solve it...
  30. T

    Solving the Circular Motion Puzzle: A Bus Coming to a Stop

    Homework Statement http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7256/circularhn0.png [/URL] Homework Equations None. The Attempt at a Solution The answer key says that the answer is the bus coming to a stop. I think this is the answer because the wheels of the bus are slowing down. Is this the...
  31. I

    Rapid adiabatic compression - puzzle

    I want to know if in rapid adiabatic compression of a gas, is work done by gas on surrounding (atmosphere) numerically same as work done by surrounding on the gas. Please tell if there exists some solid proof of the answers you guys are giving.
  32. C

    Solving the 50-Minute Rope Burning Puzzle

    You have got two ropes. Every rope is burning in a space of one hour. Burning speed of these ropes is not proportional. I mean, half rope not necessarily will burn in a space of half hour. How can you measure out 50 minutes, using these ropes and fire only?
  33. F

    Finding arctan(1/sqrt3): Solving the Puzzle

    This is a general question. I was given a problem where you need to find arctan(1/sqrt3). Referring to a pie chart, I see that if you compute y/x, you can see that the coordinates of 7pi/6 equal 1/sqrt3. However, I found the answer is pi/6 and I know the proof is in drawing a right...
  34. S

    Solve the Tray Forces Puzzle: Find T and F

    Homework Statement A lunch tray is being held in one hand, as the Drawing illustrates. The mass of the tray is .2 kg and its center of gravity is located at its geometric center (the tray is .4m long). On the tray is a 1 kg plate of food and a .25 kg cup of coffee. Obtain the force T exerted...
  35. B

    Solve the Maximum Height of Body 1 Puzzle!

    http://img9.imagepile.net/img9/30498problem.gif After hours of thinking I can't solve this problem: The system of the figure is motionless.Then body 2 is released, arriving to the ground in 2 seconds. The pulley and the rope have no weight, and there is no friction. Find the maximum height...
  36. D

    How to Tackle Challenging Questions in the Senior Maths Challenge?

    Hi I am taking senior maths challenge this year and was looking over some of the past paper questions. I did the first 10 questions and they seemed okay (although i took a bit of time on the year question which turned out to be monday) and looked at q10. http://www.wpr3.co.uk/UKMT/smc.html...
  37. T

    Seeks Solution to L-Shaped Land Division Puzzle

    Homework Statement Here is the exact wording of my sons problem When a certain land owner died this l shaped plot of land was left to be shared among four children the only stipulation of the will was that the land must be divided into four congruent plots. show how this can be done. The...
  38. E

    Solving the Filtered Amplifier Puzzle

    Homework Statement We have a filtered amplifier (diagram is attached). We do not know Cf or Rf. We know that: 1 volt input at 5 Hz = 9.25 volt output 1 volt input at 200 Hz = 6.77 volt output 1 volt input at 500 Hz = 3.66 volt output Homework Equations The transfer function for...
  39. D

    What is Riemann's hypothesis and can it be explained in simple terms?

    Solve this 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
  40. J

    Can You Solve the Bridge Troll Puzzle?

    Here is a puzzle that a camp counselor asked me. But unfortunately he forgot to tell me the answer as he said he would at the end of the camp. I checked online at lots of sites but none had this brain teaser. So i hope one of you guys can pm me the answer. Here is the brain teaser. There is a...
  41. J

    Solving the Puzzle: Two Snowcats Towing an Emergency Shelter

    Homework Statement Two snowcats tow and emergency shelter to a new location near McMurdo Station, Antartica. (the top view is shown. the cables are horizontal.) The total force F'a +F'b exerted on the shelter is in the direction parallel to the line L and its magnitude is 400lbs. Graphically...
  42. G

    Solving the Ramp Puzzle: Finding the Length of Horizontal Side

    Homework Statement A ramp is made by laying one end of a board on the level floor and the other end on top of a 4.0-foot-high wall, which is 8.0 horizontal feet away. A 3.0 foot-in-diameter ball is rolled under the ramp until it is wedged between the underside of the ramp and the floor. How...
  43. K

    A Circle And Adjacent Number Puzzle

    Analytically determine if it is possible to arrange the numbers 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 (not necessarily in this order) in a circle such that the difference between any two adjacent numbers is 3, 4 or 5. Note: Each of the ten numbers must occur exactly once.
  44. M

    Solving First-Year Physics Textbook Puzzle: Adding Squared Equations

    ok this is in an example in a first-year physics textbook, yet some how i spent an hour trying to solve it (identities, tricks, etc) and could not find a solution. here is what the textbook states: (1) v2f*cos\phi = 3.5*10^5 - v1f*cos(37) (2) v2f*cos\phi = v1f*sin(37) "now we sqaure these two...
  45. S

    Solving the Six Dice Puzzle: A Logic Defying Riddle

    This is reminiscent of similar dice riddles, but the answer to this one appears to defy logic. Unless I'm mistaken, this is not as obvious as it looks. There are six unloaded die. Each has been rolled out of your sight and hidden behind a cup. You are informed that no more than one of them...
  46. belliott4488

    How'd they figure that? (logic puzzle)

    Okay, here's my favorite brain teaser. Sorry if an equivalent version has appeared here before. On a remote island somewhere there was an ancient country whose population consisted of 200 people with green eyes and 800 people with blue eyes. The citizens of this country were all happy and...
  47. T

    Cant spot flaw in nested logic in puzzle

    This is not a puzzle question exactly. It's a question about logic that the puzzle illustrates. There are four dragons. It is known that dragons can have brown eyes but our four all have green eyes. They can see each others eyes, but don't know their own eye colour. They will turn into...
  48. H

    Help Solve a Puzzle: Read Figure Below

    Hi all. Please kindly read the figure below and see if you can help me. Thanks.
  49. M

    Understanding Close Packing in 3D with Solid State: Mr V's Homework Puzzle

    Homework Statement Chapter name: Solid state Topic: close packed structures in crystalline solids Sub-topic: close packing in 3D In my Chemistry book I read: Now let us suppose there is 1 sphere only. Can anybody explain to me where the one octahedral void and two tetrahedral voids...
  50. S

    Special relativity particle observation puzzle

    Here's a little special relativity puzzle that I found interesting. Say we have two particles initially at rest in a frame O and separated by a distance L. They begin to uniformly accelerate at t=0 in a direction along the line separating them, until they reach a velocity v at some time t...
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