What is twice the answer to this question ?
Just thought some people here would like this brain-teaser ;)
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2$\begingroup$ Zero. … Ø, maybe? $\endgroup$– Ry-Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 15:57
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$\begingroup$ @minitech In the same category, ε, the empty string. $\endgroup$– nhaarmanCommented Oct 6, 2014 at 20:28
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7 Answers
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Given that your question is self referential and requests twice its own answer, we need something that is twice itself. Zero works - two times zero is still zero, so if the answer to your question is zero then twice the answer to your question is also zero.
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$\begingroup$ But why should it be Zero in the first place? $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 16:38
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$\begingroup$ @d'alar'cop Is there any reason why it shouldn't be zero? $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 16:39
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$\begingroup$ Not really... just as there isn't any reason it shouldn't be potato :p Would you happen to have a reason that it should be Zero? $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 16:41
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2$\begingroup$ @d'alar'cop what if you worded the question "what is twice itself?" - you would answer in a heartbeat, right? Zero is the only number that works. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 17:16
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1$\begingroup$ @AeJey - So will minus infinity, $-\infty$; or $\aleph_7$, etc. $\endgroup$– h34Commented Jan 10, 2015 at 15:30
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Another possible answer is "deer".
Twice deer would mean two deer. And since the plural of "deer" is "deer" than "deer" is a possible answer.
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Another non-trivial possibility:
$\infty$
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$\begingroup$ LOL! You actually tried to multiply "answer to this question" by 2 using code. $\endgroup$– PyraminxCommented Jan 10, 2015 at 18:02
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Nothing.
Because twice nothing is still nothing.
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$\begingroup$ I like this answer slightly better than "Zero". It's more general and includes the other answer. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 8, 2014 at 18:33
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The question can be rephrased as "What is "the answer to this question" written twice in a row?"
This would be "the answer to this question the answer to this question".
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$\begingroup$ @FlorianF, nono. I suggest that you just need to double the set of symbols: "the answer to this question". So the procedure must exactly the same as if you are asked "What is bla-bla said twice in a row?". $\endgroup$– klm123Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 18:16
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$\begingroup$ I understand now. Comment removed. $\endgroup$ Commented Oct 6, 2014 at 21:28
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The answer is twice itself. 2 possibilities so far.
1. If it's a number, it can be 0 as well as infinity.
2. If it's a statement, "twice the answer of your question" should work.
