50 replies to this topic

[araver]

In a future not so far way, Earth archaeologists find on a far away planet a fragment from a long lost civilization.
This fragment involves an unknown operation *|*.
Unlocking its secrets may lead to a breakthrough in understanding their civilization.

Can you do it?

If

21 *|* 7 = 11

and

17924 *|* 10751 = 851

then how much is:

1982 *|* 2010 = ?

[Tsopi]

ahhh..if we only had the first one..it is so easy.( If a *|* b = c then c = a-b-(a/b) )The second one mix everything up!

[araver]

ahhh..if we only had the first one..it is so easy.( If a *|* b = c then c = a-b-(a/b) )The second one mix everything up!

let's just say they were a little more advanced and the operation is not that simple.
Nice thought though, I did not see that one (just chose a small example at random).

Spoiler for Hint(s)

Well, here's a small hint to what the operation is. It is commutative.

a *|* b = b *|* a

And a second hint to what the operation is not. It is not associative.

(a *|* b) *|* c does not equal a *|* (b *|* c) all the time

[plainglazed]

Spoiler for one possibility?

23 - by taking the absolute value of the difference of the two given numbers and then taking the highest prime factor of that difference and adding to that the product of the sum of the remaining prime factors and the product of the remaining prime factors -
21 - 7 = 14 --> prime factors = 2,7 so 7 + (2) * (2) = 11
17924 - 10751 = 7173 --> prime factors = 3,3,797 so 797 + (3+3)*(3*3) = 851
2010 - 1982 = 28 --> prime factors = 2,2,7 so 7 + (2+2)*(2*2) = 23

[araver]

Spoiler for one possibility?

23 - by taking the absolute value of the difference of the two given numbers and then taking the highest prime factor of that difference and adding to that the product of the sum of the remaining prime factors and the product of the remaining prime factors -
21 - 7 = 14 --> prime factors = 2,7 so 7 + (2) * (2) = 11
17924 - 10751 = 7173 --> prime factors = 3,3,797 so 797 + (3+3)*(3*3) = 851
2010 - 1982 = 28 --> prime factors = 2,2,7 so 7 + (2+2)*(2*2) = 23

Indeed, your operation works for the given examples. I like it

It's not however the *|* that I had in mind (it gives a different result to the question).
Nonetheless, it deserves a prize as a valid hypothesis.

Perhaps a new example can re-launch the challenge?
Give me a pair (a,b) and I'll compute a*|*b. (i.e. assume another tablet has been found on the planet, etc, to maintain the "cover story" ).

Edited by araver, 16 November 2010 - 06:15 PM.

[plainglazed]

Knew it was a little too convoluted. Would have thought it much easier to find several cases that satisfied the operation given only two data points. And tried many many different approaches. A tribute to a well thought out challenge. Will be looking for another tablet as well as continuing analyzing what we've found thus far.

[araver]

Adding another example to the challenge. Same operation as before.

1089 *|* 121 = 2069

[araver]

Adding another example to the challenge. Same operation as before.

10 *|* 23 = 6

[superprismatic]

Indeed, your operation works for the given examples. I like it

It's not however the *|* that I had in mind (it gives a different result to the question).
Nonetheless, it deserves a prize as a valid hypothesis.

Perhaps a new example can re-launch the challenge?
Give me a pair (a,b) and I'll compute a*|*b. (i.e. assume another tablet has been found on the planet, etc, to maintain the "cover story" ).

What is 1 *|* 0 ?

[araver]

What is 1 *|* 0 ?

That is a big hint

Spoiler for But since you asked for it ...

1 *|* 0 = 2