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riddles >> general problem-solving / chatting / whatever >> how to become better at problem-solving/riddles
(Message started by: diddle on Dec 15th, 2002, 11:23pm)

Title: how to become better at problem-solving/riddles
Post by diddle on Dec 15th, 2002, 11:23pm
problem solving

- becoming better at math? doing more problems?
- how do you go about getting better at them? merely practicing?

riddles

- does knowing answers of more of them help? knowing the usual 'tricks'?

- how do you actually go about becoming better at them?

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by towr on Dec 16th, 2002, 1:20am
I think it a lot comes down to learning, and understanding, tricks and methods.. But also general knowledge is very important, because sometimes the trick is to interpret the problem in an unorthodox way.

More math (logic, algebra, probability etc) can help a lot in some cases, but also physics, biology, psychology, engineering and basicly anything else.
Also a lot of riddles and problems are just a different version of well-known riddles and problems. So knowing those, and understanding the solution helps a lot. Random walks is an example, or Nim (? not too familiar with that one myself yet).

Practicing is a good way of learning all the tricks and methods. But you could also more explicitly study the techniques themselves; study how the methods are structured, which methods there are, how other people do it, why some methods work in some cases but not in others etc.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by jennifer sandison on Apr 1st, 2004, 10:47am
if i send you a riddle that i know, would you be able/ try to solve it for me as i am sooo stuck and really want to know the answer.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by towr on Apr 1st, 2004, 11:15am
You can post any (new) riddle in the appropriate forum on this board. Wether anyone can solve it depends on what it is (and wether it is well stated), but we'll give our best try.
(And if we can't solve it, we'll just think of additional conditions under which we can solve it  ;D)

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by Mugwump101 on May 13th, 2004, 1:07pm
    I agree with Towr. To recognize and situate the problem is a very important concept. With more practice, the better you become... trust me, this is not just a mere saying but very real and true (ex. just as a writer needs to write classics and good stories, the more s/he reads, the more the writer will be able to recognize fantastic writing, and s/he will exceed in writing because she's read around the block a lot of times)
 I recommend you try solving a lot of riddles and problem solving work either online, ask a liberian for mathemathics books, or ask a teacher for extra work.
  ;D Good luck!

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by Icarus on May 13th, 2004, 4:56pm

on 05/13/04 at 13:07:03, Mugwump101 wrote:
ask a liberian for mathemathics books,


I wasn't aware that Liberia was so well known for mathematics!  ;)

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by THUDandBLUNDER on May 13th, 2004, 10:00pm

Quote:
I wasn't aware that Liberia was so well known for mathematics!

...nor was I. Well, except for Taylor's theorem.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by J. Casino on Jul 27th, 2004, 10:42am
Like a compass, this inside name, pointing in the direction, from whence it came.
Not the kind of place, you'd want to stay, unless of course, you can't pay your way.
The hiding place, may lead to work, but just where, that's the perk.
It's oh so famous, and part of our nation, but not a place, to stay on vacation.
Last year's search, went to Neverland, this time around, the food's more bland.
Cathedrals and museums, filled with history, but take a pass, it won't solve the mystery.
Something temporary, will take you far, to solve the mystery.
Don't expect to find, many a post card, as for an address, that's way too hard.
To save you time, no water fountains, while you're at it, forget the mountains.
Let's be clear, with this clue, it's not a church, not a statue.
Italy and France, both are fine, but find a place, not known for wine.
A trip to the capital, tempting to do, it's a starting point, but it's not for you.
A perfect spot, there's much unknown.
The golden arches, there's a connection here, but there aren't as many, and that is clear.
People are so polite, the best time to look, is day not night.
Jump in your car, explore the Mid-west, but don't stay long, and don't be a guest.
You can forget the orient, the Philippines too, they don't speak your language, and that's a clue.
Hand out of pocket, don't pay a fare, this time around, see it from the air.
You found the Chunnel, on the heels of a star, now you must think bigger.
The reason to visit, may be to talk, not after hours, or around the clock.
The place you seek, is on the ground, you need to know, it's not a town.


Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by Justin Overdorf on Sep 21st, 2004, 7:34am
hows about this one its a play on words some where in here if you have any questions you can email me at justinoverdorf@yahoo.com as to what i found on some of this stuff  ;D

#1. 5 feet north, 10 feet east, follow this closely and you’ll pass the test.


#2. Where the keys are hidden you do not know, but we promise they are somewhere inNew Mexico.


#3. Buried, but not too deep. Into the Earth you will have to creep.


#4. In the city the lights are bright, but you’ll have to leave it to find this site.


#5. To find the keys you must go, not to California, but San Francisco.


#6. Don’t be discouraged, you’ve come too far to bail. The keys can be found along the Turquoise Trail.


#7. Turn the page to April and you will finally see, a white church, mountains, and a cemetery.

#8. It’s not the church, it’s up the road. Five miles North to break the code.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by devin klein on Dec 6th, 2005, 7:43pm
im  looking  for  a  rock hidden  somewhere in vegas. they  give  out  clues but  they are  really mis- leading.

1) you must only search high then low all through the town for  the rock to be  found.

2) go far  but  let the boundaries contain you

3) the rock is not gone, its just father  than you think

4) even if in las vegas, north las vegas, henderson or  boulder city you have easy access to the rock

5) on the correct trail youll never  get lost

6) listen and dont speak to loudly when ordering your chinese take out, for the rock hears all.

7) dare to beware the journey may lead you over hill over dale and onto a dusty trail.

they give clues out everyday thats  all i have, maybe you can help figure the different  meaning  these clues  may hold  .. thanks

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by Grimbal on Sep 28th, 2009, 1:16am
I have heard of that riddle a couple of year ago.  Whatever was hidden there must be gone.

Why are you looking for that rock?

If you find it, how will you know it is the correct one?


[edit]Maybe the one I heard about was about another rock.[/edit]

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by fizyka on Sep 30th, 2011, 3:28pm
Ok, but what about me.
I am generally good at math, I am very good at physics, I think. But most of Your riddles (from forum and from site) are impossible to solve by me.
Of course when I look to the answer I think that was easy sometimes, but it's so hard to solve riddle alone.
What can I do to impre my riddle solving skills ?

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by alisdiar on Jul 10th, 2012, 6:26am
I think the understanding of maths is very important and you concentrate on the logic of question.    ;)

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by Edward_E on Nov 12th, 2012, 8:25am
Alot of the riddles I can't solve immediately, however, I write one down, and think about that one. Eventually I solve it.

So, none of them are impossible. To improve riddle solving skills requires paitence. Like most things.

Besides, no matter how good you are at math, etc... you can always get better. Eventually the riddle will be solved.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by jsam on Aug 28th, 2013, 6:47am
k, i understand,but we have be good at maths.even we have be quick in solving. Sorry but i am weak at maths.

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by JaneBD on Aug 4th, 2014, 2:57am
For me it's always been practice and a bit of maths (:

Title: Re: how to become better at problem-solving/riddle
Post by movie4fun on Aug 18th, 2014, 6:44pm
practice practice and then some more practice+ plus a sharp mind.



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