Author Topic: This is freaking me out. Anyone figure out how this works? (Read 458 times)

OIO · « **on:** March 01, 2003, 12:43:59 PM »

http://mr-31238.mr.valuehost.co.uk/assets/Flash/psychic.swf

the mathematically incompetent like me are getting the goosebumps.

Dinger · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2003, 12:52:53 PM »

Factors of nine. They change the symbols to hide this.

You have a two-digit number that is X*10 + Y
If you add the two digits and subtract them from the total, it looks like:

X*10+Y - (X + Y)
which is
X*10+Y - X - Y
which is
X*10-X
=
X*9

So it's the same as picking one number between 0 and 9, and multiplying by nine. Now the SWF routine puts a symbol in 0,9,18,27,36,45,54,63,72 and 81, and presents it when you're done.

Sandman · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2003, 12:53:06 PM »

Look at the math:

10: 1 + 0 = 1, 10 - 1 = 9
11: 1 + 1 = 2, 11 - 2 = 9
12: 1 + 2 = 3, 12 - 3 = 9
13: 1 + 3 = 4, 13 - 4 = 9

See?

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2003, 01:59:28 PM »

Edit: I think I was wrong.

Sandman · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2003, 02:09:09 PM »

That's right... and Microsoft will send you $$$ for forwarding chain letters.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2003, 02:14:54 PM »

It fooled me because I managed to get a right answer numerous times in a row WITHOUT doing the calculation. As if it could read my thoughts even though I didn't give the program the advantage of the calculation..

It seemed like it would point out anything I pointed with the mouse.

Maybe I should play lottery today..

mason22 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2003, 03:45:43 PM »

it wouldn't work if it didn't re-assign the symbol and number each time you pressed the crystal ball. pick a number and note it's symbol. hit refresh, note the symbol is different each time (or should be).

Pongo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2003, 07:38:13 PM »

There are only really 9 answers possible to the equation. Which is a lot less then you would think. The program makes sure that all 9 have the same icon every cycle. The other numbers are randomly or nearly randomly assigned icons to hide the pattern.
Its like a card trick where the only cards presented to you are the ones the magician knows.
Anyway. Although a different icon will appear as you guess. all the answer numbers will have the same icon every time.

Mark Luper · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2003, 10:48:43 PM »

Regardless of the math involved it only worked the first time for me. Tried 3 more times and it gave me the wrong answer. (I rechecked my math to make sure it wasn't an error on my part)

eddiek · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2003, 11:11:26 PM »

Me too, Mark......it never "read my mind", not even once....

Mini D · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2003, 11:23:30 PM »

Dinger got it right... if its not hitting the numbers for you, you really need to check your math again.

Also, note that every multiple of 9 has the same character.

MiniD

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2003, 03:41:59 AM »

I noticed that too, a bit after it REALLY confused me when I accidentally managed to get 4-5 right results simply by looking at an image and clicking the mirror (not doing the math.)

I was like wtf???

Then on 6th time my 'luck' ran out and it reported wrong.