| Author | Message | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 230 Registered: 7-2006 |
Two persons are sitting on the ground with a pile of brand new socks between them. They are taking each pair of socks, removing the thin sheet of carton and the piece of string holding the pair together, and throwing one sock of the pair into a pile to the right of the original pile, and the other one into another pile to the left. Why? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1456 Registered: 2-2011 |
does each pair that they separate match? in size? in colour? are they men's socks? women's? children's? are they getting the socks ready for a "match the sock" party game? | ||
| Kdoc (Kdoc)
New member Username: Kdoc Post Number: 1210 Registered: 7-2001 |
Hi Torgy! long time no see! are they being paid to do this? coerced? is it their idea? are they doing it for financial benefit? are they committing a crime? concealing one? are they doing it to make something good happen? to stop something bad happening? will the socks be put back together again? have they bought the socks? stolen them? found them? is their age relevant? adult? children? is their gender relevant? male? female? relevant where they are sitting? inside? outside? in a shop? are the two piles of socks going to be put to the same use? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14133 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is each person going to take one of the piles? Are the socks ordinary socks? Dress socks? Athletic socks? Do the socks have a set "left sock" and "right sock"? (I don't know of any that do, but you never know...) | ||
| Doriana (Doriana)
New member Username: Doriana Post Number: 1761 Registered: 12-2010 |
"(I don't know of any that do, but you never know...)" - Running socks sometimes have a right sock and a left sock. It's because of their special shock absorbing whatsoever zones *rolling eyes* One-legged people relevant? Relevant what they do with the pieces of carton and string? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 231 Registered: 7-2006 |
does each pair that they separate match? in size? Let's say yes in colour? No are they men's socks? women's? children's? Irrelevant are they getting the socks ready for a "match the sock" party game? No Hi Torgy! long time no see! Well, hello Mrs. R. - what a delight! are they being paid to do this? No coerced? No is it their idea? Yes are they doing it for financial benefit? No are they committing a crime? No concealing one? No are they doing it to make something good happen? Well, yes to stop something bad happening? Well, yes Depends a bit on your definition of "happen", I suppose will the socks be put back together again? No have they bought the socks? stolen them? found them? Bought them is their age relevant? adult? children? is their gender relevant? male? female? None of these are relevant relevant where they are sitting? inside? outside? in a shop? Not very relevant. Let's say outside are the two piles of socks going to be put to the same use? Yes Oh, and I have posted this once before, but in a different form. It is years ago, but IIRC you played a major part in solvin it then. So if you remember, please mail. Is each person going to take one of the piles? Yes Are the socks ordinary socks? Dress socks? Athletic socks? Ordinary socks Do the socks have a set "left sock" and "right sock"? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14143 Registered: 4-2010 |
You missed Doriana's questions Are the socks going to be worn? By them? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 232 Registered: 7-2006 |
One-legged people relevant? No Relevant what they do with the pieces of carton and string? No, these are just thrown away Are the socks going to be worn? By them? Both yes | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5086 Registered: 12-2000 |
Hi Torgy! And it's hello from me too. I have a strong idea about this one but can't find an email to write to. Could you either send me your email (my email is in my profile), or can I just go for the kill straight away? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5087 Registered: 12-2000 |
Forget that, I've just seen an answer that negates my idea. But nice to see you anyway! | ||
| Solitiare (Solitiare)
New member Username: Solitiare Post Number: 84 Registered: 7-2011 |
The socks are all for adults, but are they all the same size? although most socks nowadays are stretch socks. Are they all the same style - e.g. thigh-high,knee-length, anklets,etc? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 233 Registered: 7-2006 |
The socks are all for adults, but are they all the same size? although most socks nowadays are stretch socks. Yes, they are all the same stretch-size (: Are they all the same style - e.g. thigh-high,knee-length, anklets,etc? Yes, same style | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14150 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are the socks the same color? Is it relevant what size the socks are? What style? What color? The two persons: H? A? M? Do they know each other? Well? Are they related? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 234 Registered: 7-2006 |
Are the socks the same color? No Is it relevant what size the socks are? No, except that they are all the same size What style? No, except that they are all the same style What color? No, except that they are different colors The two persons: H? Yes A? Irrelevant M? Irrelevant Do they know each other? Yes Well? Irrelevant Are they related? Irrelevant | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1460 Registered: 2-2011 |
did I understand correctly that each pair of socks contains two socks of different colours? are they putting all the socks of one kind in one pile and one in another? Like, separating the patterned from the plain? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 235 Registered: 7-2006 |
did I understand correctly that each pair of socks contains two socks of different colours? No, each pair consists of two socks of the same colour. are they putting all the socks of one kind in one pile and one in another? Like, separating the patterned from the plain? No | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 236 Registered: 7-2006 |
I should perhaps clarify that answers that I have given to previous questions does not necessarily inicate that ALL the pairs of socks in the heap have a unique colour, only that more than one colour is represented among them. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14158 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are any other persons relevant? Are they going to commit a crime? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 926 Registered: 1-2011 |
Would the puzzle work if they did the same with gloves? Or other items that come in pairs? Is the exact number of pairs relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 238 Registered: 7-2006 |
Are any other persons relevant? No Are they going to commit a crime? Yes, they are planning to carry out extensive jaywalking together the next day. But not any crime relevant to the puzzle, no Would the puzzle work if they did the same with gloves? No Or other items that come in pairs? Depends on the items Is the exact number of pairs relevant? No | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5091 Registered: 12-2000 |
Do the piles of socks end up identical to each other? Does it matter which pile either of them takes? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 239 Registered: 7-2006 |
Do the piles of socks end up identical to each other? Yes Does it matter which pile either of them takes? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14171 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are they going to use the socks at all? For the same purpose? Would it work if the piles were not identical? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 242 Registered: 7-2006 |
Are they going to use the socks at all? Yes For the same purpose? Yes Would it work if the piles were not identical? How could they not be? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1466 Registered: 2-2011 |
would it work with any other pairs of items worn on the feet? shoes? stockings? slippers? are they planning to fool someone that they have two left feet? are they going to have their photo taken? display their feet in public? are they entering a competition? are they going to see who can put the most socks on one foot? are they both bipeds? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 243 Registered: 7-2006 |
would it work with any other pairs of items worn on the feet? shoes? No stockings? Yes slippers? No, at least not for the great majority of slippers, and for all those that I have seen are they planning to fool someone that they have two left feet? No (and before you ask, not two right feet either) are they going to have their photo taken? No display their feet in public? No are they entering a competition? No are they going to see who can put the most socks on one foot? No are they both bipeds? Yes | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14184 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are they going to wear the socks? On their feet? Are the socks going to be worn at all? By someone else? By an animal? More than one? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1475 Registered: 2-2011 |
does either one have a plaster cast on their foot? or something else which would prevent them from wearing normal footwear? are these two people twins? do they want to dress alike? are they in the entertainment industry? is their profession relevant? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 935 Registered: 1-2011 |
Are the socks only items they divide into piles? Did they do similar thing before? Will they do similar thing in future? Are they making an experiment? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4011 Registered: 9-2009 |
Would it work if the socks were right-socks and left-socks? If so, would they put all right-socks in one pile? | ||
| Noel (Noel)
New member Username: Noel Post Number: 2754 Registered: 7-2009 |
Are they making a costume? e.g. a caterpillar or centipede? and they need the socks to make the feet and legs on each side of the costume's body? Will they wear the socks on their actual feet? Or elsewhere? will they each wear more than one sock at a time? Are they conjoined twins? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 244 Registered: 7-2006 |
Are they going to wear the socks? Yes On their feet? Yes Are the socks going to be worn at all? So yes By someone else? No By an animal? No More than one? No does either one have a plaster cast on their foot? No or something else which would prevent them from wearing normal footwear? No are these two people twins? Irrelevant do they want to dress alike? Not in particular are they in the entertainment industry? Irrelevant is their profession relevant? No Are the socks only items they divide into piles? Yes Did they do similar thing before? No Will they do similar thing in future? Probably not Are they making an experiment?No Would it work if the socks were right-socks and left-socks? No If so, would they put all right-socks in one pile? So irrelevant Are they making a costume? No e.g. a caterpillar or centipede? No and they need the socks to make the feet and legs on each side of the costume's body? No Will they wear the socks on their actual feet? Yes Or elsewhere? No will they each wear more than one sock at a time? Yes Are they conjoined twins? No | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 941 Registered: 1-2011 |
Do they have any relevant disabilities? Are they color - blind? Do they want to wear socks, where the socks in one pair are of different colours? Are they divorced people who divide their belongings equally? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 245 Registered: 7-2006 |
Do they have any relevant disabilities? No Are they color - blind? No Do they want to wear socks, where the socks in one pair are of different colours? No Are they divorced people who divide their belongings equally? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4018 Registered: 9-2009 |
Relevant what they're going to do while wearing the socks? Will other people see the socks? Relevant? will they be together while wearing the socks? Will the socks on one person's feet match the socks on the other's? Will they wear them at a special event? Crime involved? Deception? A magic trick? Will they switch socks? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 246 Registered: 7-2006 |
Relevant what they're going to do while wearing the socks? No Will other people see the socks? Irrelevant Relevant? No will they be together while wearing the socks? Irrelevant Will the socks on one person's feet match the socks on the other's? Not necessarily Will they wear them at a special event? No Crime involved? Deception? A magic trick? None of these Will they switch socks? No Not very helpful, I'm afraid. We know that when finished, each of the two will pick up one heap of socks and leave. What happens to the socks after that is irrelevant, other than that they will be used in the normal way like any other socks | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4022 Registered: 9-2009 |
Do they have a good reason for doing this? A stupid reason? An insane reason? Or no reason at all? Relevant where they bought the socks? Or who paid for them? If all socks were identical, would they have done the same? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 945 Registered: 1-2011 |
Is this relevant whether the number of pairs was even or odd? They do it mainly to obtain: equality of piles? diversity of colours? no pair of the same colour together? other purpose? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 247 Registered: 7-2006 |
Is this relevant whether the number of pairs was even or odd? Yes They do it mainly to obtain: equality of piles? Yes diversity of colours? Not specifically no pair of the same colour together? Not necessarily other purpose? Well, I'd say yes, though you may disagree | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1501 Registered: 2-2011 |
when each person wears the socks, are they wearing a mismatched pair? when they wear them, are they with the other person in the same sock combination? are they clowns? | ||
| Noel (Noel)
New member Username: Noel Post Number: 2765 Registered: 7-2009 |
Did they inherit a pile of socks from someone? But they didn't know how many socks there were total? so to make sure they each got half they took one of each pair? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4028 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was the number of pair even? Odd? did they know that beforehand? Can you answer my previously posted questions? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 248 Registered: 7-2006 |
when each person wears the socks, are they wearing a mismatched pair? No when they wear them, are they with the other person in the same sock combination? No, unless by pure coincidence are they clowns? Irrelevant Did they inherit a pile of socks from someone? No But they didn't know how many socks there were total? Incorrect - see below so to make sure they each got half they took one of each pair? This follows from what they do of course, but is not a relevant point in and of itself Was the number of pair even? Odd? Even did they know that beforehand? Yes Can you answer my previously posted questions? Yes. Sorry, I have an irritating habit of overlooking questions ): Do they have a good reason for doing this? Yes A stupid reason? No An insane reason? No Or no reason at all? They do have a reason Relevant where they bought the socks? No Or who paid for them? No If all socks were identical, would they have done the same? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4029 Registered: 9-2009 |
So is it important that the piles of socks weigh the same? Are the same size? Are identical in other ways? Will the socks be used for something relevant after being divided into piles? Or is it the dividing itself that's important? Some event before? Any other people involved? If so: 1? 2-5? 6-10? 11-25? More? Is a ritual involved? Tradition? Prank? Would it have worked, had the socks been used? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 947 Registered: 1-2011 |
If they divided socks: 1 pair left, 1 pair right and so on, would they consider the piles equal? Did they plan to divide the socks before they bought socks? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 249 Registered: 7-2006 |
So is it important that the piles of socks weigh the same? Not in and of itself Are the same size? Not in and of itself Are identical in other ways? Well, yes Will the socks be used for something relevant after being divided into piles? As stated before, nothing apart from what socks are usually used for Or is it the dividing itself that's important? The dividing is a means to an end Some event before? There has been an important event, yes Any other people involved? None If so: 1? 2-5? 6-10? 11-25? More? 0 Is a ritual involved? Tradition? Prank? None of these Would it have worked, had the socks been used? No If they divided socks: 1 pair left, 1 pair right and so on, would they consider the piles equal? Probably not Did they plan to divide the socks before they bought socks? No | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 950 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did they decide to divide socks immediately after having bought them? Did they quarrel who should take which socks? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4031 Registered: 9-2009 |
Are the colors of the socks important? Could the purpose of the exercise be fulfilled, if: they left the piles of socks where they were? They never wore the socks afterwards? They gave away or sold the socks afterwards? Same question s as above if only one of them did it. Did they want to do this? Did they have to? Did they enjoy it? Relevant how many pairs of socks there were in total? If so, more than: 2? 4? 8? 16? 32? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 250 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did they decide to divide socks immediately after having bought them? No Did they quarrel who should take which socks? No Are the colors of the socks important? Exactly which colors they were, you mean? No. Could the purpose of the exercise be fulfilled, if: they left the piles of socks where they were? Yes, the same way that the purpose of filling your car up with petrol is fulfilled even if you leave it by the pump and walk away They never wore the socks afterwards? Same as above They gave away or sold the socks afterwards? Yes Same question s as above if only one of them did it. Same answers for the one that did it, yes for the other Did they want to do this? No Did they have to? Yes(ish) Did they enjoy it? No Relevant how many pairs of socks there were in total? Somewhat If so, more than: 2? 4? 8? 16? 32? At least 4 pairs | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 951 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did they learn something about the socks, what influenced their decision to divide them? Were all the socks of the same quality? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4034 Registered: 9-2009 |
Were they ordered to do so? Relevant who owned the socks before? If so: one of them? Joint ownership? Some of the pairs owned by each one? If so: equal numbers? Relevant? Did they do it because of something they: saw? Heard? Did? Is a bet involved? A dare? A legal obligation? Did they divide anything besides the socks? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 252 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did they learn something about the socks, what influenced their decision to divide them? No Were all the socks of the same quality? Yes Were they ordered to do so? No Relevant who owned the socks before? Before what? Before they bought them, it was the shop. If so: one of them? Joint ownership? Some of the pairs owned by each one? This could be correct If so: equal numbers? If so, then yes Relevant? If so, then yes Did they do it because of something they: saw? Heard? Did? This Is a bet involved? A dare? A legal obligation? No to this Did they divide anything besides the socks? No | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 955 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did they choose that way of dividing because it's the fairest? Was any of the socks unique? Is it relevant how much time elapsed between buying and dividing socks? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 253 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did they choose that way of dividing because it's the fairest? No Was any of the socks unique? No Is it relevant how much time elapsed between buying and dividing socks? Not very. Say about 20 minutes | ||
| Doriana (Doriana)
New member Username: Doriana Post Number: 1776 Registered: 12-2010 |
Is it relevant that they're sitting on the ground? Is it relevant where they are? Indoors? Outdoors? One of their houses? You said they did it because of something they had done, correct? Relevant how long before they had done the other thing? So, they have to do it - will something bad happen if they don't do it? Do they believe something bad will happen? Does someone force them to do it? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1503 Registered: 2-2011 |
are they divorcing or separating and dividing up their property in the fairest way they deem possible? or are they joint inheritors of the socks and are splitting them fairly? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 255 Registered: 7-2006 |
Is it relevant that they're sitting on the ground? Not very Is it relevant where they are? Indoors? Outdoors? One of their houses? Outdoors. Only relevant to "fill in the background" as it were. You said they did it because of something they had done, correct? Correct. But it might be more correct to say it was because of something that had happened to them. A matter of viewpoint I suppose Relevant how long before they had done the other thing? A bit perhaps. A few minutes. So, they have to do it - will something bad happen if they don't do it? Noish Do they believe something bad will happen? No Does someone force them to do it? No are they divorcing or separating and dividing up their property in the fairest way they deem possible? No or are they joint inheritors of the socks and are splitting them fairly? No | ||
| Doriana (Doriana)
New member Username: Doriana Post Number: 1778 Registered: 12-2010 |
Had something bad happened to them? Did they get mugged? something good? | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1675 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is location relevant? (apart from being outside) -- like country, mountain vs seaside, etc? Do they suffer from a relevant disease? The thing that happened to them -- it happened in the ~ 20 min interval between buying the socks and dividing them, correct? Did any of the pairs from their initial pile have different colors? (for example, one red and one green) Or we might assume that in a pair both socks were of the same colour? Is this relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 256 Registered: 7-2006 |
Had something bad happened to them? Yes Did they get mugged? No something good? No Is location relevant? No Do they suffer from a relevant disease? No The thing that happened to them -- it happened in the ~ 20 min interval between buying the socks and dividing them, correct? Yes Did any of the pairs from their initial pile have different colors? (for example, one red and one green) Or we might assume that in a pair both socks were of the same colour? All sock pairs consist of two identical socks of the same colour Is this relevant? Yes | ||
| Doriana (Doriana)
New member Username: Doriana Post Number: 1779 Registered: 12-2010 |
If the thing had not happened to them, would they have divided the socks like you'd expect them to do (like, person one takes x pairs and persn two takes x pairs)? Is the bad thing directly connected to having bought the socks? Did they lose something? the receipt? Did they forget something at the store? Did the bad thing involve weather? transportation? an accident? animals? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 257 Registered: 7-2006 |
If the thing had not happened to them, would they have divided the socks like you'd expect them to do (like, person one takes x pairs and persn two takes x pairs)? FA Is the bad thing directly connected to having bought the socks? No Did they lose something? Define "lose" precisely the receipt? No Did they forget something at the store? No Did the bad thing involve weather? transportation? an accident? This is the closest animals? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5093 Registered: 12-2000 |
Had two customers collided into each other and they dropped all their socks? Or the sales assistant mixed their purchases up and this was the fairest way of dividing them up? | ||
| Fionakelleghan (Fionakelleghan)
New member Username: Fionakelleghan Post Number: 274 Registered: 7-2011 |
I was going to suggest charity or a running marathon, but as you've said it was a bad thing that happened... Was there another piece of clothing that was treated the same way? Was there a small organism like a flea or a mosquito or a leech or... I don't think I can finish this without embarrassed laughter. Did the 2 people know each other earlier? Are they turning the socks into a sort of tool? Like, into a rope so that they can rescue someone? Sorry, you said that they are to be worn on the feet. Were the socks to be given to, say, pet dogs with injuries? This is fascinating. | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 258 Registered: 7-2006 |
Had two customers collided into each other and they dropped all their socks? YES! Good question. Or the sales assistant mixed their purchases up and this was the fairest way of dividing them up? No Was there another piece of clothing that was treated the same way? No Did the 2 people know each other earlier? Yes Are they turning the socks into a sort of tool? Like, into a rope so that they can rescue someone? No Were the socks to be given to, say, pet dogs with injuries? No This is fascinating. Thanks. It is really a brainteaser turned upside down. I am giving you the answer, and you must figure out the problem. (Come to think of it, that is the case with all lateral puzzles. What I mean is, when I origninally came across this puzzle, it was presented as a brainteaser, which I have now converted to a lateral puzzle) | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5094 Registered: 12-2000 |
Couldn't they remember which socks they had each bought? So they did this to have two identical piles? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 259 Registered: 7-2006 |
Couldn't they remember which socks they had each bought? Not this So they did this to have two identical piles? They got two identical piles, of course, but there is more to it | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4041 Registered: 9-2009 |
Were they: Angry? Annoyed? Did they drop anything besides socks? Did they buy the same number of pairs? Did they both know how many pairs of socks they bought? Is the amount they paid each relevant? Were the socks differently priced? Relevant? Were there price tags on the socks? Relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 260 Registered: 7-2006 |
Were they: Angry? Annoyed? As angry or annoyed as one usually gets after bumping into a friend and losing all one's socks, I suppose Did they drop anything besides socks? No Did they buy the same number of pairs? Yes Did they both know how many pairs of socks they bought? Yes Is the amount they paid each relevant? No Were the socks differently priced? Relevant? No, and irrelevant Were there price tags on the socks? Relevant? Irrelevant | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4043 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was it unacceptable for them to just pick up the same number of pairs each, and leave? Relevant where the socks were dropped? Did something bad happen to the socks? Did they get dirty? Damaged? Did they both want to divide the socks like that? Superstition relevant? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 959 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did any of them hide anything among the socks? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 261 Registered: 7-2006 |
Was it unacceptable for them to just pick up the same number of pairs each, and leave? Yes Relevant where the socks were dropped? A bit Did something bad happen to the socks? Did they get dirty? Damaged? Nothing relevant happened to the socks apart from what has already been discovered Did they both want to divide the socks like that? Yes Superstition relevant? No Did any of them hide anything among the socks? No | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4046 Registered: 9-2009 |
Do we need to know more about: the persons? How they bumped into each other? Past events? Future events? Their relationship (except that they're friends)? | ||
| Vesica (Vesica)
New member Username: Vesica Post Number: 1773 Registered: 8-2001 |
Now that the socks are in a pile - Is it possible to tell whose socks were whose? Can we call the people Bill and Fred? Is there a difference between the socks Bill purchased than those Fred purchased? Did both purchase the socks they were carrying? From the same store? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 263 Registered: 7-2006 |
Do we need to know more about: the persons? How they bumped into each other? Past events? Future events? Their relationship (except that they're friends)? No, further investigation in those directons will not yield anything of interest Now that the socks are in a pile - Is it possible to tell whose socks were whose? No Can we call the people Bill and Fred? I prefer ¤ and Sysefph. If it's OK with you? Is there a difference between the socks ¤ purchased than those Sysefph purchased? No Did both purchase the socks they were carrying? Yes From the same store? Yes | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5095 Registered: 12-2000 |
Is this a totally unique situation that they were in, or if you and I collided with our socks, would we be compelled to divide them up in the same way? Were they both of the same gender? Same taste in socks? Is this important? Is there wordplay involved? Such as divide and something or other? Trying to think how divide and conquer could become a pun.... | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5096 Registered: 12-2000 |
How about a pun on collide? Kaleidoscope or something. | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5097 Registered: 12-2000 |
Collide and divide? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5098 Registered: 12-2000 |
OK this may be too English but how about Conk 'er and divide - conk referring to head and also 'conking into something' | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5099 Registered: 12-2000 |
Concur and divide - they're going to get cornier.... | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 264 Registered: 7-2006 |
Is this a totally unique situation that they were in, or if you and I collided with our socks, would we be compelled to divide them up in the same way? In their situation we might do just that Were they both of the same gender? Irrelevant Same taste in socks? Yes Is this important? Not apart from what has been discovered already Is there wordplay involved? Such as divide and something or other? Trying to think how divide and conquer could become a pun.... No, this is an actual situation with a fair, no-nonsense reason behind their behaviour. | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1514 Registered: 2-2011 |
were the socks damaged in some way in the collision? did they fall into some gold dust and the only fair way to split the gold adhering to the socks was to split each pair? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 265 Registered: 7-2006 |
were the socks damaged in some way in the collision? No did they fall into some gold dust and the only fair way to split the gold adhering to the socks was to split each pair? No | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5100 Registered: 12-2000 |
Anything relevant about the time of day, day of the week or month/season? Did they collide in the shop? Any reason relevant for colliding? Or just not looking where they were going? Did they have any injuries? | ||
| Sundowner (Sundowner)
New member Username: Sundowner Post Number: 867 Registered: 6-2003 |
Had they already paid the socks when they collided? Does it matter that the socks were in different colors? would they have done the same if all socks had been black? if it matters that the socks were in different colors: does it matter how many different colors? (2, 3, 4, 5 ..) Can we assume that, after they bumped into each other, there was a pile with an even number of pairs? with an even number of pairs in each color? with an even number of different colors? Was the purpose of the splitting of the pairs that each of them afterwards has an equal number of socks? the same number of socks than he had before? the same number of socks in each color? | ||
| Fionakelleghan (Fionakelleghan)
New member Username: Fionakelleghan Post Number: 286 Registered: 7-2011 |
"As angry or annoyed as one usually gets after bumping into a friend and losing all one's socks, I suppose" "I prefer ¤ and Sysefph. If it's OK with you?" (Fiona dies) Funny funny Abc! I am reminded of a scene in the novel Taran Wanderer: two chieftains find that their cows escaped and have all gotten mixed up together in the field. Taran averts war by ordering that one lord will divide all the cows into "yours" and "mine" - but the second lord will get to choose which lot of cows he wants. Is anything in this scenario relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 266 Registered: 7-2006 |
Anything relevant about the time of day, day of the week or month/season? Yes Did they collide in the shop? No Any reason relevant for colliding? No Or just not looking where they were going? This Did they have any injuries? No Had they already paid the socks when they collided? Yes Does it matter that the socks were in different colors? Yes would they have done the same if all socks had been black? No if it matters that the socks were in different colors: does it matter how many different colors? (2, 3, 4, 5 ..) At least 2 Can we assume that, after they bumped into each other, there was a pile with an even number of pairs? Yes with an even number of pairs in each color? Yes with an even number of different colors? Not necessarily Was the purpose of the splitting of the pairs that each of them afterwards has an equal number of socks? Not primarily the same number of socks than he had before? Not primarily the same number of socks in each color? You mean the same number of blue socks and green socks for example? No. I am reminded of a scene in the novel Taran Wanderer: two chieftains find that their cows escaped and have all gotten mixed up together in the field. Taran averts war by ordering that one lord will divide all the cows into "yours" and "mine" - but the second lord will get to choose which lot of cows he wants. Is anything in this scenario relevant? Apart from that it was a clever solution to a nontrivial problem of distribution, no | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4054 Registered: 9-2009 |
Season: winter? Spring? Summer? Autumn? Time of day: morning? Noon? Afternoon? Evening? Night? Late night/early morning? Day: weekday? Saturday? Sunday? Were they drunk? Otherwise impaired? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 267 Registered: 7-2006 |
Season: winter? Spring? Summer? Autumn? Irrelevant Time of day: morning? Noon? Afternoon? Evening? Night? Late night/early morning? Late evening or night Day: weekday? Saturday? Sunday? Irrelevant Were they drunk? Otherwise impaired? Neither | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5101 Registered: 12-2000 |
Was it dark and they couldn't see the colours so this was a way to guarantee equal piles? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 268 Registered: 7-2006 |
Was it dark and they couldn't see the colours so this was a way to guarantee equal piles? Exactly *************** SPOILER ***************** ¤ and Sysefph had found a good bargain in a clothes shop, which offered collections of socks in different colours at a good price. All the collections were identical in type, number and colours of the socks. Each bought a collection, and started walking home. They walked together part of the way, and at one point bumped into each other and dropped all the socks in a big pile. As it was dark, and they could not tell the colours from each other, - and each of them wanted to have socks of all the different colours - they split all the pairs so as to end up with the same type/colours of socks that they had started out with. Thanks to everyone for your generous participation. It was fun. (: | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5102 Registered: 12-2000 |
High five! | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1525 Registered: 2-2011 |
Oh wow, that was hard! | ||
| Noel (Noel)
New member Username: Noel Post Number: 2773 Registered: 7-2009 |
I had no idea a puzzle about socks could be so intriguing... =) | ||
| Fionakelleghan (Fionakelleghan)
New member Username: Fionakelleghan Post Number: 299 Registered: 7-2011 |
Brilliant! That's a super puzzle. Thanks for sharing! Fiona |
