Solve Enjoyable Enigmas with Mr.E's Challenge

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SUMMARY

This forum discussion revolves around Mr.E's challenge, where participants share and solve various puzzles, cryptograms, and enigmas. The initial puzzle presented is a coded message: "YY U R, YY U B, I C U R YY 4 me," which translates to "Too wise you are, too wise you be. I see you are too wise for me!" The conversation evolves with additional puzzles, including a riddle about cutting a cake into eight pieces with three cuts and a physics puzzle involving a cork floating in water. Participants engage actively, providing hints and solutions while fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic cryptography and coded messages.
  • Familiarity with logical reasoning and problem-solving techniques.
  • Knowledge of physics principles related to buoyancy and atmospheric pressure.
  • Ability to think creatively and outside the box.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced cryptography techniques for creating and solving puzzles.
  • Research logical reasoning strategies to enhance problem-solving skills.
  • Study the principles of buoyancy and atmospheric pressure in physics.
  • Learn about different types of puzzles, including lateral thinking and riddles.
USEFUL FOR

Puzzle enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in enhancing their problem-solving skills through engaging and enjoyable challenges.

  • #961
Enigman said:
werewolf?
:bugeye:

Nope. Sorry. Not it.

Hee hee. All the alliteration is just for show. The answer doesn't necessarily contain a 'W' at all. Hee hee. :biggrin:

[Edit: Although some might argue that certain social responses that are involved with the answer are unlikely, nothing in the riddle and answer are outside the realm of realistic possibilities.]
 
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  • #962
Another hint:

Wendy was able to take care of herself -- on her own -- quite well. Quite well indeed.

Even so, I'm not saying she's the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to others. (She has been reclusive/alone for some time, after all.)

There's still more to Wendy.
 
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  • #963
Wendy is probably an ugly owl.
 
  • #964
Medicol said:
Wendy is probably an ugly owl.

Ha! :biggrin: No. Let's just say for the sake of the riddle that Wendy is not ugly, but considered pretty. That much is not particularly relevant, but whatever: let's just say she's pretty (why not [again, it's not relevant, so we might as well define her as pretty, even though it doesn't matter]).

Whatever the case, Wendy is human. [Not a bird.]
 
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  • #965
Your riddle is incredibly hard, could you give us some more hints ?
 
  • #966
The part about "the Sun sank away and the Moon arose, and her guests began to wander" is an important part. Twilight (dusk) passed.

You may ask yes or no questions about anything. There's still something about Wendy, and her newly furnished apartment.
 
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  • #967
Was the moon full? :biggrin:
 
  • #968
Does her apartment look like a cave ?
 
  • #969
drizzle said:
Was the moon full? :biggrin:

Yes, according to the riddle it is (the fact that the sun set at about the same time the moon rose is an astronomical quality of a full moon).

But as a hint, the fact that the moon was full is not really important. What's more important is that the sun set (the sun went down).
 
  • #970
Medicol said:
Does her apartment look like a cave ?

I'm going to say no.

The apartment was recently furnished though, so it's safe to say it didn't have a lot of clutter. It's also safe to assume that Wendy thought ahead to get furnishings specific to a dinner party, such as a table and chairs; plates, silverware, drinking glasses, etc.

But she didn't think of everything.

[Edit: she obviously had a stereo system, or some sort of music playing apparatus (boombox or some-such, at least), for the "wild music" too.]
 
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  • #971
What about the lights?
 
  • #972
drizzle said:
What about the lights?

What about the lights? ('yes' or 'no' questions please) :smile:
 
  • #973
Is there any lights in the apartment?
 
  • #974
drizzle said:
Is there any lights in the apartment?

No. There are no lights in the apartment. :smile:

(almost there ...)
 
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  • #975
No windows too? :bugeye:
 
  • #976
drizzle said:
No windows too? :bugeye:

The apartment definitely has windows. It has enough windows to keep the apartment well lit in the daytime.
 
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  • #977
There's still more to the riddle by the way.

Roundabout hint (This hint will not directly lead you to the answer. Maybe it will though indirectly though, if you think about it):

You know that Wendy has a stereo system of some kind, with which she plays her music. With that information, what can you deduce about Wendy?
 
  • #978
collinsmark said:
You know that Wendy has a stereo system of some kind, with which she plays her music. With that information, what can you deduce about Wendy?

Well, you can't deduce that she has "normal" hearing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Glennie#Deafness
 
  • #979
*__*
 
  • #980
It could be that Wendy is blind. She has electricity, but no lights! She forgot her guests would need light after sunset.
 
  • #981
zoobyshoe said:
It could be that Wendy is blind. She has electricity, but no lights! She forgot her guests would need light after sunset.

Yes that is the correct answer. The detailed answer is below.

Wendy neglected to purchase lamps, working light bulbs, candles, or any type of light sources for her dinner party. When Wendy was in the kitchen making dinner it got dark out. Her guests, sitting or stumbling around in the darkness got uncomfortable and left. Wendy could make dinner and get around her apartment in utter darkness just as well as she could if was well lit. Wendy has total blindness.
 
  • #982
Nice riddle :approve:!
 
  • #983
collinsmark said:
Yes that is the correct answer.
I'm surprised no one got it after your comment, "almost there." That's how I knew the lack of lights was majorly significant.
 
  • #984
Oy! Doesn't mean no one typed it no one got it. Thank you.

PS. (*__*) <--- this should be enough.

PPS. Disclaimer: rights of solving it is reserved.
 
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  • #985
drizzle said:
Oy! Doesn't mean no one typed it no one got it. Thank you.

PS. (*__*) <--- this should be enough.

PPS. Disclaimer: rights of solving it is reserved.

I published FIRST! I published FIRST!
 
  • #986
:smile::smile:
 
  • #987
Five Easy Pieces from ancient times:

1.)The Statue of Pallas

The following inscription was on the statue of Pallas Athene: ' I, Pallas, am made of beaten gold, the gift of poets. Half was given by Kariseus, an eighth by Thespis; Solon gave a tenth, and Themison a twentieth. The remaining nine talents were the gift of Aristodicus.'
How many talents of gold were there in the statue?

2.)The Mule and the Donkey

According to legend, Euclid was the author of this puzzle. 'A mule and a donkey were carrying a load of sacks. The donkey groaned, so the mule said to him: "Why are you complaining? If you gave me one sack, I would have twice as many as you; and if I gave you one of my sacks, then we would have equal loads." '
How many sacks was each carrying?

3.) The House of Pythagoras

Polykrates the money-lender said to Pythagoras: 'Blessed Pythagoras, scion of the Muses, answer my question. How many scholars dwell in your house?'
Pythagoras replied: 'I will tell thee, Polykrates. Half of the scholars are dedicated to literature; a quarter apply themselves to the study of the wonders of nature; and one-seventh contemplate in silence. There are also three women, of whom the greatest is Theano. That is the number of scholars beneath my roof.
How many scholars were in the house of Pythagoras?

4.) The Graces and the Muse

The three Graces were carrying baskets of apples, in each basket the same number of apples. They met the nine Muses and gave them each the same number of apples, and so the nine Muses and the three Graces had each the same number.
How many apples were in each basket?

5.) Demochares has lived one-forth of his life as a boy, one-fifth as a youth, one-third as a man, and has spent thirteen years in his dotage.
How old is Demochares?
 
  • #988
Someone has to calculate this one for me because I've done it twice and the solution given by the book is different than mine:

A merchant visits three markets. At the first he doubles his money and spends 30 ducats. At the second he trebles his money and spends 54 ducats. At the third he increases his money fourfold and spends 72 ducats. If he has 48 ducats left, how much did he have to start with?
 
  • #989
x...2x-30...6x-90-54...24x-216-360-72=48
x=29
(Assuming he spends the money after multiplying it in any given market.)
x=2
(Assuming the money is spent in the process of multiplying)
I should sleep.
 
  • #990
Thanks. Your answer agrees with the book, so I went over my calculations yet again and found the error.
 

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