MHB Tricky Logic Puzzle with 26 Variables

AI Thread Summary
The logic puzzle involves finding the product of the expression (x-a)(x-b)(x-c)...(x-z). While it appears complex, the solution is straightforward when recognizing that the variables a to z represent letters of the alphabet. The key insight is that if any variable equals x, the entire product equals zero. This classic puzzle highlights the importance of recognizing patterns in mathematical expressions. Ultimately, the answer simplifies to zero when any variable matches the value of x.
Tompson Lee
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Can you figure out what the answer of (x-a)(x-b)(x-c)...(x-z) is?
This problem seems very tricky and you might think you need to expand one by one, but if you think carefully, you will find out that the answer is very simple!

Solution:

[YOUTUBE]CnHBE4SbRRs[/YOUTUBE]
 
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That's an old classic puzzle.

I remember someone programming a looper program
to solve this puzzle, but gave up saying:
"I give up: I keep getting zero no matter what"!
 
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I didn't realize that (x - x) until Denis McField gave the hint...
 
This trick puzzle is usually presented this way:

(a-n)*(b-n)*(c-n)* ... *(x-n)*(y-n)*(z-n) = ?

Using "n" makes it look more authentic,
since "n" is part of most sequence formulas.
 

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