Math Is Fun Forum

Jai Ganesh

Administrator

Registered: 2005-06-28

Posts: 48,422

A simple test

Below are four (4) questions. You

have to answer them quickly. You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately.

OK? Let's find out just how clever you really are.

Ready?

First Question:

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second

person. What position are you in?

Answer: If you answered that you are first,

then you are absolutely wrong!

If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are

second!

Try not to mess up in the next question. To answer the second

question, don't take as much time as you took on the first

question.

Second Question:

If you overtake the last person, then you are...?

Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then you

are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST person?!

You're not very good at this are you?

Third Question:

Very tricky math! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do

NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator.

Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30..

add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000. Now add 10.

What is the total? Did you get 5000? The correct answer is actually 4100.

Don't believe it? Check your calculator!

Today is definitely not your day.

Maybe you will get the last question right?

Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2 Nene,

3. Nini, 4. Nono.

What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Answer: Nunu? NO! Of course not. Her name is Mary.

Read the Question again.

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It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils. - Niels Henrik Abel.

Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.

MasterofDisguise

Member

Registered: 2008-01-05

Posts: 68

Re: A simple test

Nice but why are they in the Jokes section?

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(im an ALIEN ) im kool (WHAT You cant steal my fridge!)]

LuisRodg

Real Member

Registered: 2007-10-23

Posts: 322

Re: A simple test

WTF?

The one about adding....WTF? I keep doing it in my head and I get 5000 but on calculator 4100????

Im really confused why this happens.

iheartmaths

Member

Registered: 2008-01-08

Posts: 31

Re: A simple test

It's actually because the mind adds those values of 10 as values of 100. Look at this to illustrate the difference:

1000 + 400 (which the mind adds as 400 for some reason, even though the real value is 40. the same goes for all of the 10 values) + 1000 + 300 + 1000 + 200 + 1000 + 100 = 5000

1000 + 40 + 1000 + 30 + 1000 + 20 + 1000 + 10 = 4100

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Don't quote me on that.

Zach

Member

Registered: 2005-03-23

Posts: 2,075

Re: A simple test

I got them all right.

The second one's answer is: You're first. You've just lapped the guy in last.

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Boy let me tell you what:
I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.
And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

Daniel123

Member

Registered: 2007-05-23

Posts: 663

Re: A simple test

The second one's answer is: You're first. You've just lapped the guy in last.

The person in second etc can't lap the guy in last?

Zach

Member

Registered: 2005-03-23

Posts: 2,075

Re: A simple test

Hey, if you want to place your self in second, be a loser then.

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Boy let me tell you what:
I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.
And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

iheartmaths

Member

Registered: 2008-01-08

Posts: 31

Re: A simple test

The second one's answer is: You're first. You've just lapped the guy in last.

The person in second etc can't lap the guy in last?

I think the important thing to notice is the wording. Now, obviously, this is only my opinion, but the word overtake implies to change position in respect to the race standings, not just to physically surpass someone. So, I would say that you're right. Besides the obvious confusion caused by the fact that every racer minus the person in last can indeed overtake the person in last by lapping them, and that subsequently, the person in last can overtake the person in second to last while still being in last, the wording and context of the question seem to suggest that they meant your race position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), in which case lapping would have done nothing.

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Don't quote me on that.

Zach

Member

Registered: 2005-03-23

Posts: 2,075

Re: A simple test

You're all thinking too small. Only explaination.

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Boy let me tell you what:
I bet you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.
And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

Identity

Member

Registered: 2007-04-18

Posts: 934

Re: A simple test

omg Zach cloned himself

power man

Member

Registered: 2006-12-26

Posts: 160

Re: A simple test

yeah i agree with zack about being in first but you could still overlap the last person if you are in 2nd 3rd etc

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I hate people who hate people.
most people make mistakes, butt not me!
why     is     it     when     you     are     writing     something     important     you     run     out       of        spa

coconut

Member

Registered: 2008-03-02

Posts: 9

Re: A simple test

i like the last one!!!!!! it was sooooo funny

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shimmy shimmy coconut shimmy shimmy nut

coconut

Member

Registered: 2008-03-02

Posts: 9

Re: A simple test

hey power man i like your signature its really funny

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shimmy shimmy coconut shimmy shimmy nut

power man

Member

Registered: 2006-12-26

Posts: 160

Re: A simple test

thanks

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I hate people who hate people.
most people make mistakes, butt not me!
why     is     it     when     you     are     writing     something     important     you     run     out       of        spa

coconut

Member

Registered: 2008-03-02

Posts: 9

Re: A simple test

to power man

                              prego

that means your welcome in italian

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shimmy shimmy coconut shimmy shimmy nut

power man

Member

Registered: 2006-12-26

Posts: 160

Re: A simple test

uhh prego
wat do u mean by welcom

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I hate people who hate people.
most people make mistakes, butt not me!
why     is     it     when     you     are     writing     something     important     you     run     out       of        spa

Roraborealis

Member

Registered: 2005-03-17

Posts: 1,594

Re: A simple test

Only explaination.

Wow. You spelled a word wrong.

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School is practice for the future. Practice makes perfect. But - nobody's perfect, so why practice?

Monox D. I-Fly

Member

From: Indonesia

Registered: 2015-12-02

Posts: 2,000

Re: A simple test

The second one's answer is: You're first. You've just lapped the guy in last.

The person in second etc can't lap the guy in last?

I think the important thing to notice is the wording. Now, obviously, this is only my opinion, but the word overtake implies to change position in respect to the race standings, not just to physically surpass someone. So, I would say that you're right. Besides the obvious confusion caused by the fact that every racer minus the person in last can indeed overtake the person in last by lapping them, and that subsequently, the person in last can overtake the person in second to last while still being in last, the wording and context of the question seem to suggest that they meant your race position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), in which case lapping would have done nothing.

Or the race track simply doesn't have any loop.

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Actually I never watch Star Wars and not interested in it anyway, but I choose a Yoda card as my avatar in honor of our great friend bobbym who has passed away.
May his adventurous soul rest in peace at heaven.