I have waves, just not like the sea
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Useful sometimes I can be
Others in trouble, I can put you in
Added:
I'm as old as you are, but nowadays more popular.
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$\begingroup$ This riddle seems fairly broad. I can think of several different answers that I could make to fit all of the lines. Is there any special wordplay in the riddle, should we be trying to hone in on particular phrases or idioms? $\endgroup$ – hexomino Jul 27 '16 at 13:52
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$\begingroup$ try then, @hexomino, but i can add a hint $\endgroup$ – lois6b Jul 27 '16 at 13:54
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Are you
A fingerprint
I have waves, just not like the sea
A fingerprint is a pattern of ridges in the skin
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Everyone has them, but the specific pattern is unique to the individual
Useful sometimes I can be
They can be useful in identifying a person
Others in trouble, I can put you in
If you're a criminal, your fingerprints can get you convicted
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1$\begingroup$ You haven't yet catched the added part ;) With fingerprint scanning on phones / laptops it has become a popular authentification method ;) $\endgroup$ – Peter Jul 27 '16 at 15:05
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My guess is you are a
Brain
I have waves, just not like the sea
A brainwave is an electrical impulse in the brain or a sudden clever idea. Both are certainly different in form from waves in the sea.
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Brains are very common things but each individual's brain is unique.
Useful sometimes I can be
The brain is incredibly useful for communicating, performing difficult tasks and devising new ideas.
Others in trouble, I can put you in
Of course, your brain is responsible for both good and bad decisions and sometimes can put you in trouble as well, especially if acting impulsively.
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Is it
Fingerprints
I have waves, just not like the sea
They look like waves.
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Fingerprints are not rare as they kind of look similar, but each has a unique pattern.
Useful sometimes I can be
Security applications use fingerprints for authorization to indicate that it is you who is trying to access the object.
Others in trouble, I can put you in
When you are arrested, they take your fingerprints. When they match suspects for a crime, your fingerprint can put you in trouble.
I'm as old as you are, but nowadays more popular.
Your fingerprints have the same age you. Nowadays they have more applications in smart phones and other areas.
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$\begingroup$ I think you should accept Irishpanda's answer. He was 1 minute earlier than me xD $\endgroup$ – hannad Jul 27 '16 at 14:14
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Is the answer -
sin (x) function .
I have waves, just not like the sea
Plot sin(x) on graph gives waves.
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Sin(x) is used frequently in math , unique as it is a single tone i.e contains only one frequency.
Useful sometimes I can be Others in trouble, I can put you in
used for modulation , but math questions may be difficult.
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1$\begingroup$ sorry, is not correct. but is kind of original! :D $\endgroup$ – lois6b Jul 27 '16 at 12:17
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You could be
Gravity
I have waves...
Gravitational waves were recently confirmed
I'm not rare...
It's everywhere
Useful...
Gravity is very useful
Trouble...
Stay away from black holes
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$\begingroup$ Unique? Useful? I keep in mind the part about the black holes $\endgroup$ – lois6b Jul 28 '16 at 14:05
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Are you:
A hand wave
I have waves, just not like the sea
Bit self explanitory this one, hand wave isnt the sea
I'm not rare, but I'm unique
Alot of people wave their hands in greeting or other such things but people wave their hands differently
Useful sometimes I can be
You can call someone over will a hand wave
Others in trouble, I can put you in
depending on your country a hand wave/gesture can be seen as insulting
