Mathemagical understanding

[andrewducker]

I'm wondering about the level of mathematical understanding on my friends list.

Go here and check out both the magical puzzle and my explanation.

Then come back here and tell me if my explanation made sense to you.

[Poll #943968]

Comments

[dougs.livejournal.com]

I'm very familiar with this behaviour in another context, so I knew instantly what was going on when eyeliner297 called me over to look at the page. So even the first answer is a little inaccurate.

[andrewducker]

Doesn't surprise me. I find the same thing with many logic puzzles. People ask me and then sometimes I know the answer because I've heard it three times before, which means I can come out with it instantly, making me look much smarter than I really am :->

[chipuni.livejournal.com]

*ding*

The same for me. Since I've seen (better) versions of this puzzle, this one in particular was easy to spot.