Puzzle 773
What number comes next in this sequence:
986888
724864
143224
==??==
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
The answer involves multiplication (for example, 9 x 8 = 72).
Answer
468.
Reasoning
If we split each line in the following way:
98 68 88
72 48 64
14 32 24
Each new line is generated by multiplying the digits two at a time and writing the result below.
For example, 9 x 8 = 72, so 72 appears directly below 98.
And 7 x 2 = 14, so 14 appears directly below 72.
Double-Checking
9 x 8 = 72, 7 x 2 = 14, 1 x 4 = 4.
6 x 8 = 48, 4 x 8 = 32, 3 x 2 = 6.
8 x 8 = 64, 6 x 4 = 24, 2 x 4 = 8.
Puzzle 774
Which word is the odd one out:
seventy
brawl
clover
proper
carrot
swing
emerged
crafty
travel
sacred
stone
plunge
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Try removing some letters.
Answer
Carrot.
Reasoning
Each of the other words remains a real word if you remove the first and last letter:
s-event -y
b-raw -l
c-love -r
p-rope -r
c-arro -t *
s-win -g
e-merge -d
c-raft -y
t-rave -l
s-acre -d
s-ton -e
p-lung -e
Puzzle 775
Can you find three consecutive odd numbers that …
… total 7,644,585 when multiplied together?
Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
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Hint
Try starting with the cube root of the number.
Answer
195 x 197 x 199.
Reasoning
Since we're after three numbers that multiply together, a good place to start is the cube root of 7,644,585, which is roughly 196.99.
Let's try dividing by the closest odd number to 196.99:
7644585 ÷ 197 = 38805
We're now after whole divisors of 38,805, so trying either odd number either side of 197 might work.
Trying either 195 or 199 gives the answer.
Double-Checking
195 x 197 x 199 = 7,644,585
Note
Trying the closest odd number to the cube root always works, and the other two numbers are the odd numbers either side.
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