The Riddler's Gauntlet

**amphoteric88** · 04-27-2003, 08:11 AM

I weaken all men for hours each day. I show you strange visions while you are away. I take you by night, by day take you back, none suffer to have me, but do from my lack. What am I?

**amphoteric88** · 04-27-2003, 08:14 AM

this one is a right pain. very maths based. i didn't get it after a couple of hours, i had to give up

Five sailors were abandoned on an island. To provide food, they collected all the coconuts they could find. During the night one of the sailors awoke and decided to take his share of the coconuts. He divided the nuts into five equal piles and discovered that one was left over, so he threw the extra coconut to the monkies. He then hid his share and went back to sleep. A little later a second sailor awoke and had the same idea as the first. He divided the remainder of the nuts into five equal piles, discovered also that one was left over, and through it to the monkies before hiding his share. In turn each of the other three sailors did the same - dividing the observable amount into five equal piles, hiding one, throwing one left over to the monkies. The next morning the sailors, looking innocent, divided the remaining nuts into five piles with none left over. Find the smallest number of nuts in the original pile.

**Riddler** · 04-27-2003, 08:14 AM

Sleep ? ( the previous one )

**amphoteric88** · 04-27-2003, 08:16 AM

yep, sleep is right
well done

**Riddler** · 04-27-2003, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by amphoteric88@27 April 2003 - 01:14
this one is a right pain. very maths based. i didn't get it after a couple of hours, i had to give up

Five sailors were abandoned on an island. To provide food, they collected all the coconuts they could find. During the night one of the sailors awoke and decided to take his share of the coconuts. He divided the nuts into five equal piles and discovered that one was left over, so he threw the extra coconut to the monkies. He then hid his share and went back to sleep. A little later a second sailor awoke and had the same idea as the first. He divided the remainder of the nuts into five equal piles, discovered also that one was left over, and through it to the monkies before hiding his share. In turn each of the other three sailors did the same - dividing the observable amount into five equal piles, hiding one, throwing one left over to the monkies. The next morning the sailors, looking innocent, divided the remaining nuts into five piles with none left over. Find the smallest number of nuts in the original pile.

Holy headache Batman ! this might take a while.....

**amphoteric88** · 04-27-2003, 08:20 AM

lol, yeah, very difficult
i give huge praise and congrats to anyone who solves without cheating

**amphoteric88** · 04-27-2003, 08:24 AM

i just read this again, the coconut one, and it seems really simple
i was trying to make it more complicated when i did it
or maybe it's just cos i know the answer