Greatest math joke/trick I have ever seen

[Doug]

The lines part would be no problem, the collections department would be my problem.

 

[mike0187]

I got 4100 but remember a problem like this before and I got the wrong answer the first time....weird how that can work

 

[quantumleap]

The lines part would be no problem, the collections department would be my problem.

That's where you enlist the help of your wife.

 

[royalfan]

Seen this before and also missed. The key is not knowing there is not another number after the 10 and then most will miss it. They way you have it posted people with think an extra second as they can see it was the last number.

 

[Italianole]

If I had heard this in person there's a pretty good chance I would have said 5000 as my initial impulse was 5000 before re-reading the last number twice.

 

[D2bets]

I got 4100 and I didn't think I did anything all that special. Maybe it's easier when you see it on paper? Could really quickly see the 4 1000's and then the 30, 40, 20 and 10. I don't understand the problem.

 

[buddyboy]

the type of work I am in requires great attention to detail... this is one of many oral questions I ask possible employees before hiring. of course I never let on if they answer correctly or not... most assume they ace my test.

the key is identifying people that are smart enough to realize the questions have a 'twist' and then being able to answer them correctly.


Why are 1985 pennies worth more than 1975 pennies?

 

[CalvinTy]

Why are 1985 pennies worth more than 1975 pennies?

Neat question... not to bust the answer already, but yeah, the answer is because there are 10 more pennies, that's why.

It's almost not really fair because people can gripe that it's spoken/written as to imply the year rather than the number. However, I see that the word "the" is missing intentionally.

If it was "Why are the 1985 pennies worth more than the 1975 pennies?" then that would be a question for Doug.

Trick question, yeah.

P.S. Iceman, I did get 4100 as well. I just knew to add the last 2 digits at "90" with the "10" to make it "100" then making final answer of 4100. I completely ignored the 1st digit (the thousand digit); guess it helped?

* CalvinTy

 

[joeyfitzclick]

4100

 

[TheFalls]

Wanted to say 5000 at first...probably would have if I didn't know it was a tricky trick.

 

[trytrytry]

I got 4100 and I didn't think I did anything all that special. Maybe it's easier when you see it on paper? Could really quickly see the 4 1000's and then the 30, 40, 20 and 10. I don't understand the problem.

you should only do it one at a time in order. not cluster the numbers like you did....that increases that chances on getting 5000.

if you cluster its easy 4000 + 100

I mean its easy both ways but your brain gets tricked only the other way.

 

[$tinky]

This problem is much easier seeing it on the screen in front of you than it would be with someone telling you the numbers.

 

[Iceman]

It is meant to have problem written on paper and cuncovered one number at a time. I promise you EVERYONE will answer 5,000. I have seen and did this for over 10 years. One number at a time covered up than uncovered.

 

[levistep]

When are you going to post the joke?

 

[Biggamer3]

yea thats fun great puzzle... I think a few will get Carrot!

uppy:

 

[al_corona]

5000

 

[Anonymous1]

My HP12c had no problem whats so ever....next...

 

[Doug]

the type of work I am in requires great attention to detail... this is one of many oral questions I ask possible employees before hiring. of course I never let on if they answer correctly or not... most assume they ace my test.

the key is identifying people that are smart enough to realize the questions have a 'twist' and then being able to answer them correctly.


Why are 1985 pennies worth more than 1975 pennies?

ten more of them

If you mean the years, then 1975 are worth more because they are copper.

 

[barman]

"The key is yada yada yada..."

SH: The KEY is doing it a bar when the person you're asking is drunk as a skunk, like when it was first presented to ICEMAN.

:toast:

 

[honzie]

I'm a 5000 dope. I was trying to find the angle and still missed it -lol!!

BTW, years ago I heard a great one for the bar. Something about 3 guys pool up some money for a purchase, seller takes money, changes his mind for some reason and upon dividing money up and giving it back there is a missing or unaccounted dollar on the return. Anyone know this one?