10
$\begingroup$

I saw this puzzle and don't know how to solve it:

puzzle self

The only pattern I saw is 3 + 8 = 11 , 2 + 9 = 11, 6 + 2 = 8 and 1 + 7 = 8

Are there other approaches I should consider?

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ Try calculating the angle between the clock hands when time is 3hr 6 min, 2 hr 1 min, check different combinations, also make sure the puzzle is correct $\endgroup$
    – user9174
    Jan 28, 2015 at 8:34
  • $\begingroup$ @Francisco did you find the solution by now? $\endgroup$
    – Avigrail
    Mar 13, 2015 at 12:14
  • $\begingroup$ @Avigrail Not yet .. some different tip of attempts presented here? ty. $\endgroup$
    – Francisco
    Mar 14, 2015 at 0:18

4 Answers 4

6
$\begingroup$

I don't think is it but could be a start.. A bit like what you pointed out in the answer,

The numbers in the fifth circle show the difference between the corresponding quarter of the top-right and bottom-left circles. I.e. 8 - 1 = 7, 9 - 3 = 6, 2 - 4 = (-)2

So maybe the question mark should be:

5 (which is 7-2)

because it fits this pattern, but that doesn't feel like a good answer.

$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

All I found was a diagonal reference. You build the two differences (always positive) and chose the smaller one.

enter image description here

So for top left this would be '8' and '7',
top right '9' and '6',
bottom left '2' and again '2' (is this a sign?)

and following this rules, bottom right would be '7' and '5'.

$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ Hey that works, it's better than what I had because it uses all of the numbers in some way. $\endgroup$
    – ladyofcats
    Jan 29, 2015 at 0:11
  • $\begingroup$ @ladyofcats yeah, but I still don't think this is the intended solution. $\endgroup$
    – Avigrail
    Jan 29, 2015 at 6:15
1
$\begingroup$

The answer comes from differences of numbers between the 2nd and 4th circle..

8-1=7
9-3=6
4-2=2

and the answer is 7-2 = 5

$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

Οne pattern I see is the following:

[6+1]-[3+2]=2
[4+2]-[3+1]=4
[11+11]-[8+8]=6
[9+8]-[7+2]=8
[7+6]-[2+1]=10

From the addition and subtraction of these numbers we obtain the arithmetic progression: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. If we divide them by 2, then we can say they represent time on a clock: 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.