Math Riddle

[Sapiens]

Hello fellas,

Please don't say it if you already know the trick!

I will give a suite of numbers and I have a rule in my head. Your goal is to find that rule by proposing me numbers that could continue the suite and fit the rule. I'll tell you if it's right or not, until the answer is found. You can also obviously propose what you think is my rule. This is a very interesting and educative exercise I've learned in my psychology class. I'll explain further why when the answer is found. Here is my suite:

2, 4, 8...

Good probability to you!

 

[brinny]

10?

 

[Sapiens]

Yep, it works. It fits with my rule.

 

[brinny]

12?

 

[Sapiens]

Works too

 

[JackRT]

There are several possibilities:

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, ---

2, 4, 8, 14, 22, 32, ---

2, 4, 8, 32, 256, ---

But I am a retired mathematician and educator.

 

[Sapiens]

But I am a retired mathematician and educator.

Nothing wrong with that

There are several possibilities:

2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, ---

2, 4, 8, 14, 22, 32, ---

2, 4, 8, 32, 256, ---

Indeed, they all work with my rule. So what's my rule?

 

[JackRT]

Nothing wrong with that



Indeed, they all work with my rule. So what's my rule?

Since they all work, I would need more information to determine your rule.

 

[Sapiens]

Since they all work, I would need more information to determine your rule.

Yes, it's going to help. You guys can propose more numbers.

 

[brinny]

14?

 

[Sapiens]

Woooooorks!

 

[Sapiens]

Remember, you may propose what my rule is to try to confirm your idea.

 

[brinny]

counting by 2's?

 

[Sapiens]

Noooooope. Ain't my rule.

 

[Willtor]

There are an infinite number of possible functions that fit this rule, which I'm guessing is what you're hinting at by saying that all of these things work. I'm guessing the psychology aspect comes from the fact that people look for a simplest fit (like powers of 2 in your example), even though any number follows.

 

[Sapiens]

There are an infinite number of possible functions that fit this rule, which I'm guessing is what you're hinting at by saying that all of these things work. I'm guessing the psychology aspect comes from the fact that people look for a simplest fit (like powers of 2 in your example), even though any number follows.

Hello Mr. Mighty,

Nope, that's not the psychology behind it. Although, you're not too far. I assure you can find my rule and it is very simple and specific (hints, hints, hints...).

*AHUM* (Hints again) correction: every number proposed so far fit my rule.

And the fun continues!

 

[Willtor]

Hello Mr. Mighty,

Nope, that's not the psychology behind it. Although, you're not too far. I assure you can find my rule and it is very simple and specific (hints, hints, hints...).

*AHUM* (Hints again) correction: every number proposed so far fit my rule.

And the fun continues!

Interesting. How about the following:

9

6 + Pi

-1

i

 

[Sapiens]

Interesting. How about the following:

9

6 + Pi

-1

i

9 works, 6 + pi too, -1 doesn't work and the letter "i" neither. Unless it has a known value.

 

[Willtor]

9 works, 6 + pi too, -1 doesn't work and the letter "i" neither. Unless it has a known value.

i = sqrt(-1)

Is your rule: "increasing"?

 

[Sapiens]

i = sqrt(-1)

Is your rule: "increasing"?

Sorry mate, I don't know what the i square root means. I haven't had a math class in years... Maybe it would work but I don't know.

Increasing is not my rule.