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Hello all,

I recently discovered this forum thanks to the google widget and have been trolling for about a week now. The precision inherent in a truly great riddle inspired me to write one of my own. I would appreciate any and all honest feedback. Please Enjoy:

I am the embodiment of precision. So too, must you be.

I’m always at the top of your mind and at the bottom of all your questions.

With a change of position, I can divide the masses.

In fact, you probably wouldn’t be here without me.

Despite all this, on the whole, I’m practically useless.

What am I?

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Electrons by themselves are pretty useless without protons and neutrons. Or am I stretching too far?

I'll keep thinking about it if I'm close to the answer.

The clue isn't "by myself, I'm practically useless" It's "on the whole, I'm practically useless."

The difference is subtle, but important. As with all of the clues, in fact.

I'll post a hint next time, I think.

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The more I think about it, I believe AAAsn888s is right.

I am the embodiment of precision. So too, must you be. A great riddle has only one answer, thus is very precise.

I’m always at the top of your mind and at the bottom of all your questions. An unsolved riddle will haunt your thoughts until it's solved, and all questions asked have the same goal: to get clues to find the correct answer.

With a change of position, I can divide the masses. If more than one answer is plausible, it will cause a discrepancy between all people currently pondering the riddle as to which is truly correct.

In fact, you probably wouldn’t be here without me. I assume "here" to be at brainden.com looking at this particular riddle.

Despite all this, on the whole, I’m practically useless. What can the answer to this riddle really be used for besides answering this riddle?

But maybe I'm still missing something...

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The more I think about it, I believe AAAsn888s is right.

I am the embodiment of precision. So too, must you be. A great riddle has only one answer, thus is very precise.

I’m always at the top of your mind and at the bottom of all your questions. An unsolved riddle will haunt your thoughts until it's solved, and all questions asked have the same goal: to get clues to find the correct answer.

With a change of position, I can divide the masses. If more than one answer is plausible, it will cause a discrepancy between all people currently pondering the riddle as to which is truly correct.

In fact, you probably wouldn’t be here without me. I assume "here" to be at brainden.com looking at this particular riddle.

Despite all this, on the whole, I’m practically useless. What can the answer to this riddle really be used for besides answering this riddle?

But maybe I'm still missing something...

Well thought out arguments. Correct when applied specifically to this riddle, but no such limitations were set within the riddle itself.

I've given subtle clues in all of my posts thus far.

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I am the embodiment of precision. So too, must you be.

I’m always at the top of your mind and at the bottom of all your questions.

With a change of position, I can divide the masses.

In fact, you probably wouldn’t be here without me.

Despite all this, on the whole, I’m practically useless.

What am I?

I want to make an argument for my 'period' answer. I understand that it is not the answer you're looking for, but I just want to state my case.

I am the embodiment of precision.

Period. Dot. On the Dot.

Decimal point. Placed accordingly specifies an exact number as opposed to a rounded one.

I am at the top of your mind and at the bottom of all your questions.

A dot appears above the word mind over the 'i'

The same dot appears at the bottom of a question mark '?'

With a change of position I can divide the masses.

Moved around inside a multiple digit number makes it a whole number or a smaller one depending on where its placed.

In fact, you probably wouldn't be here without me.

Period, as in menstrual cycle. And you're correct, without that I wouldn't be here.

Despite all this, on the whole, I'm practically useless

1234. or 1234 On a whole number, it is useless to have a decimal point after the digits.

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I want to make an argument for my 'period' answer. I understand that it is not the answer you're looking for, but I just want to state my case.

Period, as in menstrual cycle. And you're correct, without that I wouldn't be here.

Loved your argument!! HOWEVER, if my 4th grade biology serves me correctly, it is WITH that that you would not be here, WITHOUT that is the reason you are here!!

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Loved your argument!! HOWEVER, if my 4th grade biology serves me correctly, it is WITH that that you would not be here, WITHOUT that is the reason you are here!!

HAHA!! I suppose you are correct. But I don't think I learned that in 4th grade biology. . .

So, Gray, you gonna tell us the answer or still waiting for someone to get it right?

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I want to make an argument for my 'period' answer. I understand that it is not the answer you're looking for, but I just want to state my case.

Period. Dot. On the Dot.

Decimal point. Placed accordingly specifies an exact number as opposed to a rounded one.

A dot appears above the word mind over the 'i'

The same dot appears at the bottom of a question mark '?'

Moved around inside a multiple digit number makes it a whole number or a smaller one depending on where its placed.

Period, as in menstrual cycle. And you're correct, without that I wouldn't be here.

1234. or 1234 On a whole number, it is useless to have a decimal point after the digits.

Yes, you have got it exactly,

Is it a "period" or a "dot" or a "point" or a "decimal point"? Of these "dot" would be the most likely to be accepted.

Your arguments are correct and in line with my answer, save the one dealing with biology.

It's now just a matter of names.

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The answer is rediculously simple, yet quite difficult to see. <--Clue is both literally and figuratively true.

To accurately answer each clue, and not be burdened by dreaded imprecision, the answer must be...

the correct answer is merely "."

Giving it a name, even "dot", would make it invalid. Everyone was obviously correct in their thinking, it was just a matter of language.

Robpal's / was very far from correct, but closest still because it was merely a symbol.

Paradigms, it seems, hamper even the open minded.

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andromeda Grand Master

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The answer is rediculously simple, yet quite difficult to see. <--Clue is both literally and figuratively true.

To accurately answer each clue, and not be burdened by dreaded imprecision, the answer must be...

the correct answer is merely "."

Giving it a name, even "dot", would make it invalid. Everyone was obviously correct in their thinking, it was just a matter of language.

Robpal's / was very far from correct, but closest still because it was merely a symbol.

Paradigms, it seems, hamper even the open minded.

I thought of that . <_< But I thought... nah no way I'll look stupid again. And now I DO look stupid again... :rolleyes:

Edited by andromeda
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I thought of that . <_< But I thought... nah no way I'll look stupid again. And now I DO look stupid again... :rolleyes:

Never! I've seen stupid first hand. You, my dear, definately are not.

Edited by Grayven
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Loved your argument!! HOWEVER, if my 4th grade biology serves me correctly, it is WITH that that you would not be here, WITHOUT that is the reason you are here!!

I woulda skipped the biology lesson, and gone with the URL

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OMG its the letter i, or you (yourself) so me in general.

AAAAAAAHHH! now im like totally hyper.

I'm starting to fidget, please tell me if I'm right!!

Thanks.

OMG I don't think so! But thanks for playing ok?!?! :wacko:

WHEW! it must be contagious...

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