[Solved] Zer0's Conundrum #4 - Congrats Ice Nine!

Discussion in 'Contests and Events' started by Zer0, Jul 21, 2009.

  1. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Zer0's Conundrum #3 has been solved. No additional prizes will be given out. Stay tuned for future conundrums... :D

    Welcome to...
    Zer0's Conundrum #4

    So, in Zer0's conundrum, Zer0 will post a problem (usually math or computer science related) and you will have to solve it!
    First user who solves the problem will win a prize! If no one gets it within a week, there will be no winner for that week.
    Post your answer here!

    Rules
    • One entry per person per contest
    • You MUST provide justification (proofs, etc) along with your answer otherwise it WILL NOT count!
    • No collaboration (I don't understand why you would want to...)
    • No looking up the answer or asking someone for the answer
    • No computer programs unless otherwise specified

    This Week's Prize...
    20 forum cash!
    50k NP courtesy of Dark! If you win, PM him your neo username to claim your prize!
    and +rep for an elegant solution ;)

    This Week's Conundrum...
    A 99 x 99 square is tiled with 1400 1 x 7 tiles leaving 1 square empty. What are all the possible positions of the empty square? Answer requires mathematical proof.
     
  2. Dark

    Dark Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    that 50k prize was for all your Conundrums btw :) so u can put in prizes every week 50k =)
     
    Zer0 likes this.
  3. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Oh lawl awesome :)
     
  4. Charlie

    Charlie Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    PI?

    EDIT: Okay fer real 1400?


    (99x99)/7
     
  5. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Fer real
    99*99 = 9801 =7*1400 + 1
     
  6. lazypando

    lazypando Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    soooo...am I allowed to try?
     
  7. Rhett

    Rhett Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Zer0 made it a new rule that pando isn't allowed to enter. He is so adament about this, he got a tattoo.
    [​IMG]
    Note: This is just a demo. Zer0's real tattoo will be on a much less manly man - Zer0 himself.
     
  8. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Sure. I think its a pretty nice problem so its fair game for everyone. ;)

    :( :( :(
     
  9. Shawn

    Shawn Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    99/7=14
     
  10. Rhett

    Rhett Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Zer0, you have to admit. That beard is just too manly for a NF admin.
     
  11. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    fail
    99/7 = 14 with 1 remainder
    ;)

    Nowaiiiiii
    I have a beard..... >________________>
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Shawn

    Shawn Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Ok my answer is 9801. Assuming the first square is at 1,1 and the second square is at 1,2 an so on, this will repeat 9801 times . There you go. Prize
    please :D
     
  13. Hally

    Hally Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Wait wait, zer0, do you mean WHAT ARE THEY, or HOW MANY ARE THERE?

    As in, a number, or what possible positions can they be?
     
  14. Shawn

    Shawn Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Lol sorry. That's wrong. I'll be workin on it
     
  15. Rhett

    Rhett Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    That looks oddly like the drama teacher at our school.

    Anyways, no wai. Zer0 with a beard is like...
    [​IMG]
    idk why you're crying... :( don't be sad Zer0. You're manly compared to pando.


    Edit: Users browsing this forum: lazypando lol
     
  16. Will

    Will Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4


    Well lets start with col 1, row 1, then go onto col 2, row 1, and continue from there :)

    That would be painful :(
     
  17. lazypando

    lazypando Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    well of course...brute forcing anything like this is painful on the verge of impossible

    there's gotta be some sort of trick :S
    but finding it... D:
     
  18. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Find what they are ;)

    The original problem I had in mind was on a much smaller square and smaller tiles, but that one would be too easy to brute-force the solution like you are suggesting. ;)

    Its not so much of a trick as using the correct technique for solving these sorts of problems ;)
    If no one gets the answer or makes much progress, I'll give a hint.
     
  19. SoC

    SoC Moderator
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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Ill go with the obvious answer.
    4 squares.
    The 4 corners :)
     
  20. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Re: Zer0's Conundrum #4

    Gawsh, does no one read the rules these days?
    "You MUST provide justification (proofs, etc) along with your answer otherwise it WILL NOT count!"

    You know what, I'm gonna make a new rule where just guessing is -5 cash just to be elitist and all :|