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Posted

Saw this posted on CRZ's board.

 

"Petals Around the Rose"

 

Background

I was introduced to "Petals Around the Rose" by Dr. Richard Duke at the University of Michigan . Dr. Duke used to begin each of his gaming/simulation courses with this exercise. While some students would solve the problem right away, others would struggle all semester. It had taken Dr. Duke well over a year himself, and he would always explain that the smarter you were, the longer it took to figure it out.

 

The game is quite simple. Only a basic understanding of math is required and an open and creative mind. The game can be used as an example of how different people look at the world differently, and how these different ways of looking can yield different answers. In "Petals Around the Rose" there is always one correct answer. The problem is how we define the problem.

 

If you figure it out, DON'T POST THE ANSWER, not even in spoiler tags. Took me like 2-3 minutes (3-4 rolls) to figure it out.

Posted
It had taken Dr. Duke well over a year himself, and he would always explain that the smarter you were, the longer it took to figure it out.

 

Considering it took him a year, he would say that.

 

 

Easy enough after 4 or 5 rolls.

Posted
It had taken Dr. Duke well over a year himself, and he would always explain that the smarter you were, the longer it took to figure it out.

 

Anyone on the board will tell you that Alf and I are wicked smart, so this statement is obviously correct.

Guest Smues
Posted

I should be studying for my Marketing final, but no I'm racking my brain trying to figure this out.

 

Bah.

Posted

I think some people are prematurely saying they solved it. I got it right on the first guess, but was wrong on the second. After a few more rolls, I came up with a new theory. It was proven right the first time, disproven the second. Now, I'm still trying to come up with the right solution for this problem.

 

Spiff, I just want to thank you for this frustrating problem.

Guest Smues
Posted

I'd like to believe that "The longer it takes the smarter you are", but in reality I'm just a bad problem solver and am not very creative. I WILL SOLVE THIS BEFORE I DIE.

Posted

It's actually pretty easy. Took me a few times, but then when you really think about it, it makes sense.

Guest Hero to all Children
Posted

Three rolls and then it became obvious. Another three test roles that applied said sollution proved me right.

 

The point is that "highly intelligent" people would most likely apply some very abstract system to solve this little challange. They'd go far out to solve something so obvious, getting it wrong in the process. Over-complicating.

 

Kind of like how I rattle on for hours about something, mucking up the clarity of my point instead of saying:

Smart people try too hard instead of just going by guts and common sense.

 

 

Also: It doesn't mean you're more intelligent, it just means that you think a lot more abstractly and/or are incapable of simple gradeschool riddles that don't rely on raw analytical power.

Guest Fook
Posted

This is killing me.

 

 

I DON'T KNOW!!!!

 

*cries*

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