Counting Chestnuts

Old Chestnuts 2

In the second of our series of posts looking at the old chestnuts of puzzling, we learn a valuable lesson about number puzzles and enjoy a couple of classic puzzles that are just crying out 'mathematics', and whispering 'lies'. So break out the calculators and grab a pencil and paper as we jump headfirst into the snowdrift that is number puzzles.

Types of Puzzle

Puzzle Classification
Part 1

 Well back in 2012 we took a look at what defined a puzzle, we decided after some experimentation that it was all in the method. A question commands an answer from memory or from a given method. A puzzle asks you to find the method yourself.

Today we begin the epic task of sorting all of the hundreds of type of puzzles into categories.

The Christmas Investigations - Crystal Maze

Christmas Investigations
Part Three

In the third of our Christmas Investigations we take a look at one of of the most popular game shows in the UK. Based on the French game show Fort Boyard; The Crystal Maze is a show everyone remembers fondly, the question is:

How do you decide when it is in your teams favour to buy someone out?

The Christmas Investigations - The Adventure Game

Christmas Investigations
Part Two

In our second Christmas Investigation we travel to Arg, the planet featured in the classic BBC game show - The Adventure Game. We'll tackle some multi stage lateral thinking puzzles before we get down to the serious business of money and tackle a mathematical problem with a difference.

Can you decipher the hidden values of the Argond currency?

Turning Back The Sands of Time

Time and Space
Part Four

In our continued quest for elegance in solutions to time and space puzzles we revisit the sand timers with a video and more time lines, explaining just how to get the most elegant of solutions.

Breaking the Space Time Continuum

Time and Space
Part Three

We're breaking out the sand timers and the jugs again as we search for increasingly well composed solutions to measuring puzzles. Then we attempt the theoretically impossible when we try to break the space-time continuum, with toast.

A Sandy Situation

Time and Space
Part Two

Today it's a day on the sand - and it's still not all it promises. The second cousin of the jugs problem is all about timing. You are generally presented with sand glasses of known duration, or candles of known burn time, and asked to measure a specific length of time.

A Pair of Jugs

Time and Space
Part One

I'm sorry, but you knew there was going to be smut when you entered into this little student-teacher arrangement and this set of puzzles is too good an opportunity to miss.

Of course I'm speaking not about any part of the female anatomy, but one of the oldest and most varied puzzle sets there is - measuring puzzles. 

Hidden Equations

Algebra
Part Three

So far we have looked at simultaneous equations that were hidden in plain sight, as it were.

Of course most puzzles that rely on equations try and hide the method behind flavour; either in the guise of an elaborate story, where a key piece of information is implied but not stated. Or as a diagram, hiding the maths behind abstract imagery.

Where No Number Can Be Found

Algebra
Part Two

The difficult in algebra puzzles is very rarely found in how difficult the mathematics is, where would the fun be in that. No, the challenge of a simultaneous equation puzzle is in deriving the equations that lead you to the answer.

Today I'm going to arm you with just the skills you need to do that.

A Cheeky Little Number

Arithmetic
Part One

If you want to be good at number puzzles you need to understand numbers. A simple enough statement you might think, but I don't mean understanding mathematics - thats a whole different ball game. What we're looking at here is the distinct personality of numbers. 

Trust No One

Puzzling Parables
Part Three

In the third and final entry in this little series of puzzling parables we'll be looking at the strange relationship between the puzzle setter, and solver. It's an odd little relationship because while it is based entirely on trust, it is one that the setter will try to abuse mercilessly.