Pole in lake

[Guest]

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

[itachi-san]

Why do people keep answering 12 ft.? If 6 ft are IN the ground, then part of that 6 ft. (the 4 ft., 1/3 of 12 ft. part) can't be COVERED by water without the remaining 2 ft. also being covered.

The answer is 48'

[Guest]

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

And some people wonder why these old topics should come off or be pinned.

Between english + math = entertainment!

finish the pole or Pole the Finnish

Polish off the Polish

Don't take these the wrong way please

or... Polish your self off with furniture cleaner, terrible way to go, but a great finish!

[Guest]

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

48 feet

1/2+1/3+x=1

x=1-1/2-1/3

x=1/6,but

x=8feet =>1/6=8=>1=48feet(1 is the whole lenght of the pole)

[Guest]

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

Honestly if you can't get this one, you really shouldn't be posting on a logic puzzles board.

Find the lowest common denominator for 1/2 and 1/3. It's 6.

1/2 = 3/6

1/3 = 2/6

3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

With 5/6 of the pole accounted for, the remaining 1/6 is 8 feet long.

1/6(y) = 8

1(y)=8x6

y=48

So if this was a word problem in my elementary algebra textbook I would have answered 48. But it is on a logic puzzle board so one may expect it to be a little more complicated than that.

While English isn't my first language (Bad English is:) I think some are reading too much into the "another". There can't really be another third because we haven't established a first third. Perhaps an effort to reword the problem for clarity. (I hope you don't mind, TEX.)

There is a pole in a lake. One half [(3/6)] of the pole is in the ground[.], a[A]nother [fraction,] one third [(2/6) of the whole pole,] is covered by water and [one sixth is in the air (or at least its not in the ground or water).] e[E]ight feet [of the pole are]is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

For those that insist that the part of the pole that is in the ground is also in the water think on this. Nobody said the pole was vertical - or even straight. Imagine a pipe that comes out of the bank, dips down through the "air", and is submerged in the water. It could fulfill the fractions posted for the pole, right? So with this in mind and also realizing this is a puzzle page, I think the answer is 12 ft. The 8' "out of the water" is made up of the 6' in the ground and the 2' in the "air".

3/6 in the ground + 1/6 in the "air" = 4/6 out of the water = 8'.

Total Length of the pole = 8' / (4/6) = 8 * 6 / 4 = 12'

Edited March 26, 2008 by redshift

[Guest]

If 1 half is in the ground, that means that only 1 half is left. Now 1/3 of that 1/2 is in the water and 8' is out. so, 2/3 is out of the water and 1/3 is in. 8 is 2/3 of the half. so....the 1/3 in the water is 4'. 4' plus 8' is 12'. 12' plus 12' is 24'.

I relly don't understand how something so simple become great matter.Your math is terrible.Till the point,that 2/3 are out of the water and 1/3 is in is o'k,after that is total mess."8 is 2/3 of the half. so...."???! 8 is 2/3 -1/2=1/6 or 1/2-1/3=1/6=>the whole lenght is 8*6=48feet.This puzzle is for 2th graders,that's why I'm so suprise that you mess it up totaly.For me the simpliest and fastest way is to find those 8 feet what part are from the whole lenght.It's pretty simple:

1-1/2-1/3=1/6,than

6*8=48 feet.

So simple.

Edited March 26, 2008 by ash013

[Guest]

That's what I originally got as an answer, but I started thinking that maybe the under ground section of the pole would be considered out of water:

3/6 under ground (not in water)

2/6 in water

1/6 sticking out (not in water)

4/6 out of water

4/6 = 8ft

1/6= 2ft.

6/6=12ft.

Therefore, depending on how you take the wording of the puzzle, the pole is either 48, or 12 feet long.

I'm sorry,but if the length is 12 feet and 1/2 is on the ground,1/3 in the water and 8 feet out of the water,even without to calculate is obvious that 8 feet are less than 1/2.So,the lenght is 12 feet=> 1/2 is 6 feet,but there are 8 feet which are less then1/2 of the whole lenght.How this could be correct?IT IS NOT.WHAT''S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE,WAKE UP,DRINK SOME COFFEE,IF IS NEEDED AND START THINKING.I enjoy this forum,because there are smart people.Please,don't disappoint me.

Edited March 26, 2008 by ash013

[Guest]

So if this was a word problem in my elementary algebra textbook I would have answered 48. But it is on a logic puzzle board so one may expect it to be a little more complicated than that.

While English isn't my first language (Bad English is:) I think some are reading too much into the "another". There can't really be another third because we haven't established a first third. Perhaps an effort to reword the problem for clarity. (I hope you don't mind, TEX.)

There is a pole in a lake. One half [(3/6)] of the pole is in the ground[.], a[A]nother [fraction,] one third [(2/6) of the whole pole,] is covered by water and [one sixth is in the air (or at least its not in the ground or water).] e[E]ight feet [of the pole are]is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

For those that insist that the part of the pole that is in the ground is also in the water think on this. Nobody said the pole was vertical - or even straight. Imagine a pipe that comes out of the bank, dips down through the "air", and is submerged in the water. It could fulfill the fractions posted for the pole, right? So with this in mind and also realizing this is a puzzle page, I think the answer is 12 ft. The 8' "out of the water" is made up of the 6' in the ground and the 2' in the "air".

3/6 in the ground + 1/6 in the "air" = 4/6 out of the water = 8'.

Total Length of the pole = 8' / (4/6) = 8 * 6 / 4 = 12'

Actually you are wrong,that the lenght is only 12'.I didn;t think the way you do,bot I'm exepting it,because is possible and you can't ignore the other solution.That way the answers shoud be 12' and 48'.

Edited March 26, 2008 by ash013

[Guest]

Actually you are wrong,that the lenght is 12'I don't think,that the puzzle should be understand this way,because this way has infinity number of solutions-k*12,where k is any even number-2,4,6,...and ect.

Egad man, use some whitespace! (and mebbe the spellchecker ("Pot? This is the Kettle. You're black!"))

I appreciate that you find exception to my math. You're asserting that there are an infinite number of solutions to the problem as I've reworded it. You're asserting that the length of the pole is k*12 for any even [natural] number.

I think I'm right and I think my explanation is suitably supported by my math/logic/linguistics. I see no explanation for why you think k*12 (k=2, 4, 6,...) is a solution for the problem?

[Guest]

Normally speaking out of the water or even sticking out of the water would be in the air or the part of the pole that is neither in ground or water. I think puzzles like this have wording that is meant to be deceiving. You can definately say that 8 ft is not in water though - may help or cause argument!

Anyway the answer is 5.5 yards otherwise it is not a pole.

[Guest]

Okay, i'm really not sure how this became so hard.

1/2 = 3/6

1/3 = 2/6

3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

8ft of the pole = 1/6 of its total length.

8 x 6 = 48ft.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like simple gradeschool math.

[Guest]

Okay, i'm really not sure how this became so hard.

1/2 = 3/6

1/3 = 2/6

3/6 + 2/6 = 5/6

8ft of the pole = 1/6 of its total length.

8 x 6 = 48ft.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this seems like simple gradeschool math.

math may be the answer but a pole is 5.5 yards otherwise it is not a pole! it's a unit of measure too. The other info was just to confuse - maybe/maybe not.

[Guest]

math may be the answer but a pole is 5.5 yards otherwise it is not a pole! it's a unit of measure too. The other info was just to confuse - maybe/maybe not.

1 a: a long slender usually cylindrical object (as a length of wood)

b: a shaft which extends from the front axle of a wagon between wheelhorses and by which the wagon is drawn : tongue c: a long staff of wood, metal, or fiberglass used in the pole vault

2: a varying unit of length; especially : one equal to a rod (161⁄2 feet or about 5 meters)

3: a tree with a female chest appendage-high diameter of from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters)

4: the inside front row position on the starting line for a race

Your definition of a pole is in there as well, but 1 generally is the more used term. When i'm with my friends and i see a long stick, i don't take out my ruler and make sure it's 5.5 yards before saying 'hey, what's that pole doing there?'

not to be mean, just making a fair argument.

[Guest]

Your definition of a pole is in there as well, but 1 generally is the more used term. When i'm with my friends and i see a long stick, i don't take out my ruler and make sure it's 5.5 yards before saying 'hey, what's that pole doing there?'

Well - TEX was delivering MY poles to the other side of the lake and one fell off

So I am sure it's 5.5yards

However it has shrunk in the air and grown where it aquired water, after all this time - who knows what the exact lenght is now!

It's no use to my client now - you can have it - let me know it's actual size at recovery. It's a lignocelulsic hygroscopic material and with your information and my records of it's moisture content when bellow fibre satuaration point (FSP) at the time of shipment and measure at CIF (cost insurance freight), I'll use it to conclude some theories.

Venice was built on poles/piling as was the northern version - Amsterdam. - that's why the oldest buildings are all curvy and swuuurvy (from andold film)

[Guest]

Let's stop arguing and let TEX provide us the right solution.

All three answers :48", 24" and 12 could be correct depending on how you interpret this puzzle.

If the 1/3 submerged in water, is 1/3 of the whole pole then 48" is the right answer as most of you have posted here.

If the 1/3 submerged in water, is 1/3 of the remaining half then 24" is the right answer.

Also, if the part covered in ground represents the remaining 8" part not in water (air + ground), then 12" is the right answer

[Guest]

Let's stop arguing and let TEX provide us the right solution.

All three answers :48", 24" and 12 could be correct depending on how you interpret this puzzle.

If the 1/3 submerged in water, is 1/3 of the whole pole then 48" is the right answer as most of you have posted here.

If the 1/3 submerged in water, is 1/3 of the remaining half then 24" is the right answer.

Also, if the part covered in ground represents the remaining 8" part not in water (air + ground), then 12" is the right answer

not arguing either - but are you not accepting 16'6"

ps air was not mentioned, perhaps delberately!

[Guest]

ok, i see my error. i'm daft.

48 feet.

[Guest]

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

Sure, this is a logic puzzle but come on. Use some common sense too. First, if you're neck deep in water and your feet are ankle deep in the sand, you don't say that your head and feet are out of the water, just your head. And second, in english if you don't repeat yourself it's understood that 'another one third' is talking about the entire pole. If it was 'one third of the remaining part of the pole' you would have to state it. Seriously people. You're all great at math but your other skills need help.

1/2 the pole is in the ground

1/3 the pole is in the water

8 feet is out of the water

|

| 8 feet

|

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

|

| 1/3

|

------------------------

|

| 1/2

|

1/2+1/3=5/6, therefore 8=1/6

8*6=48

It's the only way that it makes sense mathmatically AND logically.

Edited March 29, 2008 by deepthoughts

[Guest]

Math asside, surely setting a puzzle is to make it easy - very hard using hidden information and/or putting in distraction. perhaps this is easy, perhaps there's more to it. Out of the water is not in the air or other medium unless you assume it - could be misleading?

Tex has not responded, so we don't have any more information - it's open to interpretation. That's the beauty of it.

Even if there is an answer, it may still be reinvented.

Your math is fine based on your interpretation.

Mine is a pole is 5.5 yards, if you sold poles you would say the same.

[itachi-san]

I agree with almost everything deepthoughts said about this one (not any of the negativity about people of course).

Edited March 30, 2008 by itachi-san

[Guest]

If an inhabitant of Denmark is called a Dane, and an inhabitant of Poland is called a Pole , how come an inhabitant of Holland is not called a Hole?

Math asside, surely setting a puzzle is to make it easy - very hard using hidden information and/or putting in distraction. perhaps this is easy, perhaps there's more to it. Out of the water is not in the air or other medium unless you assume it - could be misleading?

Tex has not responded, so we don't have any more information - it's open to interpretation. That's the beauty of it.

Even if there is an answer, it may still be reinvented.

Your math is fine based on your interpretation.

Mine is a pole is 5.5 yards, if you sold poles you would say the same.

[Guest]

If an inhabitant of Denmark is called a Dane, and an inhabitant of Poland is called a Pole , how come an inhabitant of Holland is not called a Hole?

- Don't let she who must be obeyed see that remark!

When he's Peter pan in Nethernetherland

and as you know the odd one out is the hole cos thats from a province not a country!

[Guest]

- Don't let she who must be obeyed see that remark!

When he's Peter pan in Nethernetherland

and as you know the odd one out is the hole cos thats from a province not a country!

You`ve been watching too many Fitna`s, maybe looking for a hole to crawl into?

[Guest]

I totally ignored the half in the ground part. If one third is 8 then the total is 24. The answer is 24 regardless of the other factors.

[Guest]

I totally ignored the half in the ground part. If one third is 8 then the total is 24. The answer is 24 regardless of the other factors.

This is wrong. How can you ignore the half that's in the ground? The question is asking for the total length of the pole, so the length in the ground must be taken into account.

[Guest]

While English isn't my first language (Bad English is:) I think some are reading too much into the "another". There can't really be another third because we haven't established a first third. Perhaps an effort to reword the problem for clarity. (I hope you don't mind, TEX.)

You are right, but we have established a fist 1/2 of the same item. To reword the problem you would have to remove another; then it fits and I would agree with the 48 answer.

Something like...

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

simply removing the word another does wonders for the question; makes it a simple math problem actually so logically another has importance.

If you assumed that the 1/3 is considering only the part that is NOT in the ground you would receive a different answer, but the problem does not say that.

We assume one thing you assume another, the word speaks for itself. But it does, by using the word another it requires you to consider "another" of something.

There is a pole in a lake. One half of the pole is in the ground, another one third is covered by water and eight feet is out of the water. What is the total length of the pole in feet?

another 1/3 covered by water, now depending on if you view 'another' as...

adj ~

1 : different or distinct from the one first considered

~ Another 1/3 of the remaining half

2 : some other

~ we can obviously ignore this meaning as it has no relevance

3 : being one more in addition to one or more of the same kind

~ Here is where it might be on your side, but an example of another in this context would be something on the lines of <have another piece of pie> so another of something of the same kind not another part of something already accounted for. So we could argue (us 24ers) that this enforces our side of the debate.

or

pron ~

1 : an additional one of the same kind : one more

~ Although I do not agree with the relevance of this, one could argue that it would be in addition to what is already known so it 'could' fit as 1/3 of the total length.

2 : one that is different from the first or present one

~ One that is different from the first (1/2) eg 1/3 of the second 1/2

3 : one of a group of unspecified or indefinite things <in one way or another>

~ no relevance

So given the definition of another in almost any context goes with a stronger argument for the answer to be 24 (which is what I believe it to be).

To say we presume that 'another' dictates the remaining half cannot be said without calling your own presumption that it is regarding 1/3 of the total length, to define it sides with us (that believe it to be 24).