Numbers game and running totals...

All discussion relevant to Countdown that is not too spoilerific. New members: come here first to introduce yourself. We don't bite, or at least rarely.
Post Reply
Joe Denniss
Rookie
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:39 pm

Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Joe Denniss »

Right, I've just come up with the following solution for a numbers game.

((75 x 25 - 1) x 50)) / 100 = 937

If I were on the programme, would this be allowed, or would I have to declare the answer to each part of the sum?

I.e. 75 x 25 = 1875.
1875 - 1 = 1874...

I mean, 30 seconds is certainly enough time to work out 75 x 25, but if I only saw this solution at the last minute, I'd be stuck. Could someone shed some light on the matter?
User avatar
Jon O'Neill
Ginger Ninja
Posts: 4545
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:45 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Jon O'Neill »

I stretched the rules a bit on this, but I think it depends how lenient Carol feels, which probably depends on how drunk she is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XQo6PwS358

He seems to get away with it. Imagine if she had stopped him before the best numbers game ever?
Joe Denniss
Rookie
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:39 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Joe Denniss »

I just watched that and unfortunately I could only get 951 within the 30 seconds...

50 x 25 = 1250
1250 + (6 x 3) = 1268
1268 x 75 = 95100
95100 / 100 = 951

Equally outrageous, but unfortunately not good enough! I'll keep practising those 4 large :)
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Gavin Chipper »

As far as I understand there's no rule about knowing the running totals is there? It would seem a bizarre rule.
User avatar
Ray Folwell
Acolyte
Posts: 153
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:46 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Ray Folwell »

I remember watching this game at the time. I imagine that James had seen 952=(318*3-2) which leads to (318*75-50)/25 without needing to know the running totals.
David Roe
Enthusiast
Posts: 390
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:58 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by David Roe »

I've always assumed that as long as you can read out the solution in a mathematically correct form, you'd be OK. If you think you're getting lost, just dictate "((75 x 25 - 1) x 50)) / 100" and let Carol write it down in that format, and work out the details afterwards.
User avatar
Charlie Reams
Site Admin
Posts: 9494
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Location: Cambridge
Contact:

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Charlie Reams »

The intermediate results do have to be integers, though, which would be difficult to check otherwise. WTP calculated that this does actually make a few games impossible which would otherwise be possible, which is interesting.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Gavin Chipper »

Charlie Reams wrote:The intermediate results do have to be integers, though, which would be difficult to check otherwise. WTP calculated that this does actually make a few games impossible which would otherwise be possible, which is interesting.
But in some cases it would be obvious that it always remains an integer, such as the James Martin case from what I recall of it.
Conor
Series 54 Champion
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:29 am
Location: Luton - UK

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Conor »

What's the rule on negative numbers? I don't think they'd ever be useful, but I can't remember them ever being officially disallowed.
Gavin Chipper
Post-apocalypse
Posts: 13213
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Gavin Chipper »

What about the rule on getting two zeros (say 4-4 and 5-5) and dividing them by each other and declaring the answer to be the total you are after? :mrgreen:
User avatar
Joseph Bolas
Fanatic
Posts: 2446
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:19 am
Location: Liverpool, UK

Re: Numbers game and running totals...

Post by Joseph Bolas »

Conor wrote:What's the rule on negative numbers? I don't think they'd ever be useful, but I can't remember them ever being officially disallowed.
I think all totals achieved, when working out your solution, must be positive integers.
Post Reply