Esquire's Hardest Quiz Ever

[QuikSand]

In this month's Esquire (http://www.keepmedia.com/IssueHome.do?refID=19&pub_id=19&oliID=36), there is an quiz with a title more or less like the one in this thread. Their argument is that even with the assistance of Google, and web searching, it will be very tough to complete. My initial look suggests they are correct.

Looks like a potential group project to me. Anyone interested? (They say that anyone submitting a complete list of correct answers will get published in the follow-up issue where they reveal the answers)


Unfortunately, it seems there is no link there to the article, or if there is, I am completely missing it. If there is interest, I'll do what I can to perhaps scan it, and post it online for use here?

Anyone game?

[digamma]

Count me in.

[Ramzavail]

ill be in.

[st.cronin]

I am game.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Well, I'm certainly interested, and I don't see why you'd have trouble finding others who are. How many questions are in the quiz?

[QuikSand]

I left my copy at home, but will try to scan it and post it by tomorrow, unless there's some other way to get the content online.

[QuikSand]

How many questions are in the quiz?

It seemed like four or five pages, so maybe 50 questions or so? I looked at it briefly, and immediately though that it might be a good group project for here. Would be pretty cool to have FOFC posted as solvers of the quiz.

[timmae]

I'm in... in the Milwaukee area there is a morning radio show with a game labeled "You can't win!". The premise is that you have to answer the 5 or 6 questions correctly to win. Being that they know the nature of the beast, the questions are a bit off target, i.e. cannot be found on google. Great game, and I am sure there are many others just like it. Fun stuff...

[Blade6119]

Ill try to help, though i might not be of any

[colt45]

Count me in. Sounds like a perfect distraction from work! (Although, I do consider myself more of a GQ man....)

[gstelmack]

So in on this...

[digamma]

Unfortunately, it seems there is no link there to the article, or if there is, I am completely missing it. If there is interest, I'll do what I can to perhaps scan it, and post it online for use here?

We have this issue here at work. I can scan it into a pdf, but don't think I have the capability to host it anywhere. I can e-mail to someone to host.

[cougarfreak]

I'm game.

[Radii]

ugh, this site is moving so slowly for me right now.

digamma, you can e-mail it to me, rdixon AT gmail DOT com and I can host it.

[Maple Leafs]

This sounds like exactly the sort of thing I will be very eager to take part in, followed by me seeing the questions, followed by me slinking off into a corner and sitting silently by myself while everyone else shows how smart they are.

[JeeberD]

Ill try to help, though i might not be of any

Ditto. I'll do what I can but will make no promises...

[Draft Dodger]

This sounds like exactly the sort of thing I will be very eager to take part in, followed by me seeing the questions, followed by me slinking off into a corner and sitting silently by myself while everyone else shows how smart they are.

I'll help you in this

[MikeVic]

I'll help where I can.

[VPI97]

We have this issue here at work. I can scan it into a pdf, but don't think I have the capability to host it anywhere. I can e-mail to someone to host.Upload it on the GEFL upload system (miscellaneous files).

[digamma]

ugh, this site is moving so slowly for me right now.

digamma, you can e-mail it to me, rdixon AT gmail DOT com and I can host it.
Should be on its way to you, Radii.

[cthomer5000]

im intersted (and could also host if needed, though it seems we have that covereD).

[digamma]

Upload it on the GEFL upload system (miscellaneous files). I did this too. Whatever is easiest for everyone (i.e., radii, VPI, cthomer).

[Buccaneer]

Do the questions cover all types of subjects? I could help with the geography and history ones.

[gkb]

I'll help if I can.

[digamma]

Yes, Buc, they are a really mixed bag. History, pop culture, brain teasers, word play and the like.

[Buccaneer]

Hopefully we can get WSUCoug to help on history as well. Pop culture? If it's anything from the last 15 years, can't help there. :p

[Buccaneer]

dola

Is the deadline in 2 weeks or so?

[digamma]

dola

Is the deadline in 2 weeks or so?
Yes. November 29.

[Airhog]

Im game

[cthomer5000]

at least one place it will be hosted:
http://www.somethingwithanh.com/fofc/SCAN1262_000.pdf

[VPI97]

http://www.somethingwithanh.com/fofc/SCAN1262_000.pdfSo how do we want to go about solving this?

[McSweeny]

well #9 is Jackie Robinson

[VPI97]

Quick ones:

29. Cincinnati Reds (changed name to Redlegs for 5-6 years in the 50's)
11. Gilligan's Island (The Minnow was named after Newton Minnow)
12. Jerry Garcia

[cthomer5000]

So how do we want to go about solving this? I would say people just kind of start attacking it. I'm going to be diviing into any musical questions right off the bat, personally. I just think everyone should make it clear what they're talking about. for example

Question #6
My first thought is either Elvis or the Beach Boys, i'm going to dig around and see what I can come up with, to see if i *might* be in the right ballpark.

[McSweeny]

# 3

mind your business

[digamma]

A couple that jumped out at me:

24. related to the first Winter Olympics--looking for alphabetical order perhaps?
39. Vatican City

[cthomer5000]

Question #6
completely wrong on my guesses, but I did manage to come up with the answer online


Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass hold down the No. 1 spot on Billboard's pop album chart for a total of 18 weeks during 1966, more than any other act that year.
So the answer is Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

[ThunderingHERD]

#1. Anne Rice

[VPI97]

5. 60. Euler's Formula says that with a simply connected polyhedron, the sum of the vertices and the faces is always the number of edges plus two (F - E + V = 2).

[ThunderingHERD]

2. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch

[Maple Leafs]

#23 is Heddy Lamar

[VPI97]

30. The Ace. The cards are in alphabetical order, but the ace needs to be moved to the front.

[cthomer5000]

#31
the N is from Friends
the 2nd A is from Futurama.

The S really looks like Alias to me, but i dont watch the show so id need someone toconfirm.

[Maple Leafs]

Not positive, but #38 sounds like Ogden Nash.

[ThunderingHERD]

4. Hop on Pop

[mckerney]

35. Sonic Hedgehog

[Maple Leafs]

#8 - Skim milk

[colt45]

#4 - hop on pop, dr seuss

[Surtt]

# 50

ABC FGHI KL P

[timmynausea]

#31
the N is from Friends
the 2nd A is from Futurama.

The S really looks like Alias to me, but i dont watch the show so id need someone toconfirm.

I also think that the s is from Alias, but I don't watch it either. The first a is from Quantum Leap, I think.

[mckerney]

33. Wally Cox

[digamma]

In 15, 4. Paul O'neill correspondes to b. Lou Pinella(sp?).

[Solecismic]

10 b (Canada). Each country on the list has a red and white flag.

[mckerney]

13. Bill Robinson

[Buccaneer]

#31

Yes, first A is Quantum Leap.

I believe the L is from Man From U.N.C.L.E.

[cthomer5000]

#31

Yes, first A is Quantum Leap.

I believe the L is from Man From U.N.C.L.E. yeah, a quick image search verifies that.

#31

W - Hee Haw
A - Quantum Leap
S - Alias
T -
E - Unsolved Mysteries
L - Man From U.N.C.L.E.
A - Futurama
N - Friends
D -

[ThunderingHERD]

#31 W is from Hee Haw

[VPI97]

42. Joe Frazier sang the National Anthem that night.

[Buccaneer]

Been working on #41.

[mckerney]

Here's a list of answers we've come up with so far:

1. Anne Rice
2. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch
3. mind your business
4. Hop on Pop
5. 60. Euler's Formula says that with a simply connected polyhedron, the sum of the vertices and the faces is always the number of edges plus two (F - E + V = 2).
6. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
7. Monty Python
8. Skim Milk
9. Jackie Robinson
10 b (Canada). Each country on the list has a red and white flag.
11. Gilligan's Island (The Minnow was named after Newton Minnow)
12. Jerry Garcia
13. Bill Robinson
16. Vance DeGeneres
17. William Ewart Gladstone
18. Sharp
20. 25
22. Theremin
23. Heddy Lamar
24. gladiolus
25. NE Flanders St
26. Romeo
29. Cincinnati Reds (changed name to Redlegs for 5-6 years in the 50's)
30. The Ace. The cards are in alphabetical order, but the ace needs to be moved to the front.
33. Wally Cox
35. Sonic Hedgehog
36. Peter Weir
38. Ogden Nash
39. Vatican City
41. Pennsylvania
42. Joe Frazier sang the National Anthem that night.
43. d) shout
49. C. Jolt
50. ABC FGHI KL P

[cthomer5000]

#31 W is from Hee Haw
included it. and im about 99% positive the E is from Unsolved Mysteries. I used to watch that show every day during lunch, and an image search appears to verify it. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[cthomer5000]

mckerey, the answer to 6 is listed earlier (Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass)

[Maple Leafs]

#36 is Peter Weir.

[Solecismic]

17. William Ewart Gladstone

10 is also solved.

[TazFTW]

In 15, 4. Paul O'neill correspondes to b. Lou Pinella(sp?).15, 2. Kid Rock goes with G. Dick York

[mckerney]

Currently Working On:

15. 4) Paul O'neill correspondes to b) Lou Pinella(sp?)
2) Kid Rock goes with G) Dick York
16. ? Ellen Degeneres was born on January 26, 1958 at Ochsner Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana. She and her brother Vance, (who gathered some fame from his involvement with the Saturday Night Live character, Mr. Bill)
24. related to the first Winter Olympics--looking for alphabetical order perhaps?
31.
W - Hee Haw
A - Quantum Leap
S - Alias
T -
E - Unsolved Mysteries
L - Man From U.N.C.L.E.
A - Futurama
N - Friends
D -

[Surtt]

16. ?
Ellen Degeneres was born on January 26, 1958 at Ochsner Hospital in Metairie, Louisiana. She and her brother Vance, (who gathered some fame from his involvement with the Saturday Night Live character, Mr. Bill)

came across this.

[ThunderingHERD]

7. Monty Python

(cupid's foot on the left)

[Castlerock]

#41 is Pennsylvania.

The states are all found in order on a Monopoly board starting at GO.

[Maple Leafs]

38. sounds like Ogden Nash
Yep:
http://www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_043.htm

[Maple Leafs]

#43 - Stew:eats::thorn:shout
(The four directions, scrambled.)

[ThunderingHERD]

15) Noah Wyle John Elway

[cthomer5000]

7. Monty Python

(cupid's foot on the left)
awesome, some great questions on their part.

[cthomer5000]

Regarding #15, I can't name half the people there. I regonize Scott Weiland there in the loer left though, haven't seen his name brought up yet.

[ThunderingHERD]

16. Vance DeGeneres

[ThunderingHERD]

18. Sharp

[TazFTW]

Regarding #15, I can't name half the people there. I regonize Scott Weiland there in the loer left though, haven't seen his name brought up yet.
If that's true he'll (#7) will work with A. Clint Eastwood

[ThunderingHERD]

24. related to the first Winter Olympics--looking for alphabetical order perhaps?


The first modern winter olympic games was in 1924, which fits well with the question... but, according to Wikipedia, luge wasn't an olympic sport until 1964.
:confused:

[cthomer5000]

If that's true he'll (#7) will work with A. Clint Eastwood
yeah, it's definitely scott weiland. so there you go. teamwork! woo!

[cthomer5000]

49. C. Jolt. the second word is the first with every letter shifted to the next in the alphabet.

[ThunderingHERD]

Figured out #24. It's "gladiolus".

[Buccaneer]

#25 NE Flanders St

[Surtt]

26 Romeo

The others are moons around Uranus

[cthomer5000]

unanswered questions

14
15
19
20
21
22
27
28
32
34
37
40
44
45
46
47
48

works in progress

15.

2) Kid Rock - G) Dick York
4) Paul O'Neill - B) Lou Piniella
6) Noah Wyle - C) John Elway
7) Scott Weiland - A) Clint Eastwood


31.

W - Hee Haw
A - Quantum Leap
S - Alias
T - That 70s Show
E - Unsolved Mysteries
L - Man From U.N.C.L.E.
A - Futurama
N - Friends
D -

[cthomer5000]

for question 15, if anyone can name any of the following, it'd help everyone:

1,3,5, D, E, F

[Buccaneer]

That "T" in #31 is bugging me.

[ThunderingHERD]

for question 15, if anyone can name any of the following, it'd help everyone:

1,3,5, D, E, F

3 looks like Marcia Cross, can't be certain with the fuzzy b&w photo.

[cthomer5000]

That "T" in #31 is bugging me.
same here. it was messing with my mind, like i know i know it. I had to just walk away from it.

[VPI97]

20. 25

Here's the reconstructed chess board:
http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/esquirechess.png

[Huckleberry]

Regarding the luge question #24:

http://www.answers.com/topic/1924-winter-olympics

The 1924 Winter Olympics weren't declared to be an Olympiad until 1925 (list of Winter Olympic events started in 1925). The very first gold medal awarded in the 1924 games was for the 500 meter speedskating event.

Just a thought.

[ThunderingHERD]

Regarding the luge question #24:

http://www.answers.com/topic/1924-winter-olympics

The 1924 Winter Olympics weren't declared to be an Olympiad until 1925 (list of Winter Olympic events started in 1925). The very first gold medal awarded in the 1924 games was for the 500 meter speedskating event.

Just a thought.


http://www.spellingbee.com/bwg/statschamp.shtml

[cthomer5000]

That "T" in #31 is bugging me.
That 70's Show! WOOT!

thank you brain!

[Buccaneer]

Good job, Corey. Never would have guessed that.

[TroyF]

I don't think #3 is marcia cross. Not sure who it is, but I don't think it's her.

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm going to guess #32 is Bono.

[dacman]

#15) I don't think 3 is Marcia Cross -- 5 looks like Sharon Gless or maybe Lynn Redgrave and F maybe Annette Bening?

[JeeberD]

22. Theremin

[mckerney]

20. 25

Here's the reconstructed chess board:
http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/esquirechess.png

I belive 25 would be the location of the king.

[TRO]

15.5 is Blythe Danner

[digamma]

In color, #3 for 15 is a brunette.

[cthomer5000]

I belive 25 would be the location of the king.
Which is probably why VPI said that, huh? http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[mckerney]

Which is probably why VPI said that, huh? http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Ah, missed that somehow. :o

[dacman]

15.5 is Blythe Danner
Bingo!

http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/images/movies/people/d/danner_blythe/150x223.jpg

[mckerney]

For page 3:

1. Anne Rice
2. Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch
3. mind your business
4. Hop on Pop
5. 60. Euler's Formula says that with a simply connected polyhedron, the sum of the vertices and the faces is always the number of edges plus two (F - E + V = 2).
6. Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
7. Monty Python
8. Skim Milk
9. Jackie Robinson
10 b (Canada). Each country on the list has a red and white flag.
11. Gilligan's Island (The Minnow was named after Newton Minnow)
12. Jerry Garcia
13. Bill Robinson
14. Raft
16. Vance DeGeneres
17. William Ewart Gladstone
18. Sharp
20. 25
22. Theremin
23. Heddy Lamar
24. gladiolus
25. NE Flanders St
26. Romeo
29. Cincinnati Reds (changed name to Redlegs for 5-6 years in the 50's)
30. The Ace. The cards are in alphabetical order, but the ace needs to be moved to the front.
33. Wally Cox
35. Sonic Hedgehog
36. Peter Weir
38. Ogden Nash
39. Vatican City
41. Pennsylvania
42. Joe Frazier sang the National Anthem that night.
43. d) shout
44. a) Pierce
49. C. Jolt
50. ABC FGHI KL P

[Draft Dodger]

thinking out loud:
#14)
I may be on a wild goose chase:
Bush
Clinton
Harrison
Kennedy
Taft

curiously, not only are all those names of Presidents, it's also names of Senators. thinking I can change one letter of someone's name and still get the name of a Senator, but no luck yet

[TRO]

On #14, I want to go fram Politicians to Musicians for some reason. George Clinton, George Harrison but I can't get farther.

[mckerney]

thinking out loud:
#14)
I may be on a wild goose chase:
Bush
Clinton
Harrison
Kennedy
Taft

curiously, not only are all those names of Presidents, it's also names of Senators. thinking I can change one letter of someone's name and still get the name of a Senator, but no luck yet

I'm thinking Harrison -> Garrison maybe, looking for ways it might work.

[TazFTW]

On #14, I want to go fram Politicians to Musicians for some reason. George Clinton, George Harrison but I can't get farther.
George Kennedy and George Raft (the name change of Taft to Raft) are actors.

[Maple Leafs]

Bush, Clinton and Harrison are all quasi-famous singers...

[TazFTW]

dola

Maybe that is the answer, Presidents to famous Georges.

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm thinking Harrison -> Garrison maybe, looking for ways it might work.

I have no idea who Garrison might be, but it's the only reasonable-sounding name I could come up with when I was flipping around letters with that one earlier. Are there any names you can get from Bush, Clinton, Kennedy, or Taft??!?

[Draft Dodger]

fwiw, there's never been a Senator Garrison. Represantive, yes.

but I think the musicians or even famous georges is a better idea

[digamma]

I have no idea who Garrison might be, but it's the only reasonable-sounding name I could come up with when I was flipping around letters with that one earlier. Are there any names you can get from Bush, Clinton, Kennedy, or Taft??!?
Rush is also a possibility, though it seems like we might be making progress with the George link.

[ThunderingHERD]

Change Taft to Raft and they're all famous George's

[Draft Dodger]

who is George Kennedy?

[ThunderingHERD]

who is George Kennedy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kennedy

[TazFTW]

who is George Kennedy?
The captain in the Naked Gun movies.

[JeeberD]

who is George Kennedy?

http://www.77canadapharmacy.com/images/product/B/breath-assure.jpg

[Buccaneer]

Got #44 finally. Pierce.

LBJ wife's maiden name was Taylor. George HW Bush wife's was Pierce.

[Draft Dodger]

well, I think that works then. Taft to Raft.

[QuikSand]

Looks like I missed a lot here. Damn.

Well done so far.




...and I like George Raft there.

[ThunderingHERD]

The analogies look really bizarre.

[digamma]

Looks like I missed a lot here. Damn.

Well done so far.




...and I like George Raft there.
This isn't exactly Cougarboard, pally.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The captain in the Naked Gun movies.

And the cop in Earthquake, and Joe Patroni in all four Airport movies,and Dragline in Cool Hand Luke for which he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

[cthomer5000]

Yeah, Raft loooks good to me, nice work.

[cthomer5000]

unanswered questions

19
21
27
28
32 - Bono?
34
37
40
45
46
47
48

works in progress

15.

2) Kid Rock - G) Dick York
4) Paul O'Neill - B) Lou Piniella
6) Noah Wyle - C) John Elway
7) Scott Weiland - A) Clint Eastwood


1) ?
3) ?
5) Blythe Danner
D) ?
E) ?
F) ?




31.

W - Hee Haw
A - Quantum Leap
S - Alias
T - That 70s Show
E - Unsolved Mysteries
L - Man From U.N.C.L.E.
A - Futurama
N - Friends
D -

[TRO]

On 21: Luxembourg seems too big as it is listed as 2,586 sq km. We need something that is under 900 sq km. If I'm thinking clearly at least.

Andorra is 468 sq km. Something bigger perhaps?

[Draft Dodger]

on to #32, a list of countries and some famous people, with a four letter word needed for Ireland.

worked off of Mozart, who is (was?) on Austrian currency. still looking around, but my guess, since the others are all rulers, that they are (were) on their respective currency as well.

so 4-letter word on Irish currency? google has told me that Douglas Hyde (first president of Ireland) was on the Irish 50 pound note. my guess, at this point, is Hyde.

[TRO]

On 21: Luxembourg seems too big as it is listed as 2,586 sq km. We need something that is under 900 sq km. If I'm thinking clearly at least.

Andorra is 468 sq km. Something bigger perhaps?Wasn't thinking clearly. If you are in the center, you can go 300 km each way. So we have 3,600 sq km to work within likely.

Luxembourg is currently my best guess. It is fairly long north to south though, might need to check it.

[Buccaneer]

On 21: Luxembourg seems too big as it is listed as 2,586 sq km. We need something that is under 900 sq km. If I'm thinking clearly at least.
Country cannot be wider/longer than 300 km so the most area that it can be 90,000 sq km.

[TRO]

Damn, my math stinks tonight.

Plus we are dealing with a radius.

Let's try 282,600 sq ft as the estimate for size to start with.

[digamma]

Lesotho may be a candidate, but might be on the small end at 30,000 sq km.

[cthomer5000]

I'm completely consumed by question 28 at the moment.

[Joe Canadian]

Thanks QS... this looks like a nice project for me. Haven't read any posts after yours, but from a quick glance at the puzzles #31 seems incredibly easy, the only one I don't know off the top of my head is the D.

[TRO]

Country cannot be wider/longer than 300 km so the most area that it can be 90,000 sq km.
It can't be wider/longer than 600km (300km each way).

[TRO]

The long story short of the math portion is that we didn't eliminate many countries on size alone. About 12 :)

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm completely consumed by question 28 at the moment.

That's the one I'm working on too.

[Buccaneer]

It can't be wider/longer than 600km (300km each way).
I disagree. It did not say you are in the middle of a country - just that if you travel in a straight from any point within the country, you would be out of it. The longest distance one would travel would be from one corner (or end) to the other, which cannot be more than 300 km.

[Solecismic]

48 is D (song). It's a double-translation. Douleur is french for pain, which is french for bread. And gelogen is german for lied, which is german for song.

[cthomer5000]

That's the one I'm working on too.
I'm drawing a blank. Ive tracked down all my inital thoughts (Beach Boys, Kingsmen, Tommy James & The Shondells) and i'm coming up blank.

Maybe i've been looking for too obvious a repeat word title as my starting point....

[Draft Dodger]

I'm completely consumed by question 28 at the moment.

could it be "Surfin'" and "Surfin' U.S.A"?
does USA count as 3 words?

[TRO]

I disagree. It did not say you are in the middle of a country - just that if you travel in a straight from any point within the country, you would be out of it. The longest distance one would travel would be from one corner (or end) to the other, which cannot be more than 300 km.
It said that if you were to travel in a straight line in any direction, you would no longer be in the country. Since we want the largest possible country to fit the criteria, we'll find that by starting in the middle, not at a corner.

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm drawing a blank. Ive tracked down all my inital thoughts (Beach Boys, Kingsmen, Tommy James & The Shondells) and i'm coming up blank.

I've checked out all three of those as well. Got nothin' so far.

[Maple Leafs]

I disagree. It did not say you are in the middle of a country - just that if you travel in a straight from any point within the country, you would be out of it. The longest distance one would travel would be from one corner (or end) to the other, which cannot be more than 300 km.
Actually, it's a specific point, not any point.

[QuikSand]

It can't be wider/longer than 600km (300km each way).

I disagree. It did not say you are in the middle of a country - just that if you travel in a straight from any point within the country, you would be out of it. The longest distance one would travel would be from one corner (or end) to the other, which cannot be more than 300 km.

I'm trying to get a mental picture - but the country must, presumably, fit completely inside the circle with a diameter of 600km, right? It's possible that it has segments that would be 500km or so from end to end... as long as, from the selected starting point, you get out in 300km. Agreed?

I'm not sure if there is disagreement on this, really...

[QuikSand]

Actually, it's a specific point, not any point.

Ding ding ding. Got it.

[TazFTW]

Still trying to figure out who 15.1 is. First thought was a politician but now I'm thinking I've seen him in a movie/tv show where he played a politican or was the main character's boss.

[TRO]

could it be "Surfin'" and "Surfin' U.S.A"?
does USA count as 3 words?
If it does, then it doesn't satisfy the two words part of the equation. We have to have 5 total words, of which only 2 unique words are used.

[digamma]

I disagree. It did not say you are in the middle of a country - just that if you travel in a straight from any point within the country, you would be out of it. The longest distance one would travel would be from one corner (or end) to the other, which cannot be more than 300 km.
But, it did say you are at a specific point in a country, not any point in the country, so I agree with TRO that it could be bigger than just the largest disecting line.

[TRO]

Still trying to figure out who 15.1 is. First thought was a politician but now I'm thinking I've seen him in a movie/tv show where he played a politican or was the main character's boss.
I'm fairly certain he's an actor too.

[Draft Dodger]

If it does, then it doesn't satisfy the two words part of the equation. We have to have 5 total words, of which only 2 unique words are used.

ah, read that wrong.
ignore me.

[cthomer5000]

could it be "Surfin'" and "Surfin' U.S.A"?
does USA count as 3 words?
no good. My first thought revolved around Fun, Fun, Fun actually, but i came up with nothing (and they had a few hits before that anyway).

[TRO]

I'm trying to get a mental picture - but the country must, presumably, fit completely inside the circle with a diameter of 600km, right? It's possible that it has segments that would be 500km or so from end to end... as long as, from the selected starting point, you get out in 300km. Agreed?

I'm not sure if there is disagreement on this, really...
This is really the clearest picture of the issue.

[Maple Leafs]

I have #28, but won't post it just yet since people seem to be having fun with it.

[Buccaneer]

Hmmm....

[Draft Dodger]

I have #28, but won't post it just yet since people seem to be having fun with it.

"Herpes" is a song title?

[Buccaneer]

Than the largest country it can be would be no more than approx. 360,000 sq km.

That was what I thought originally but then got off on a tangent (no pun intended) that it not being the center point - but it was after all.

[cthomer5000]

I have #28, but won't post it just yet since people seem to be having fun with it.
only if banging my hand in frustration on one I thought i just had and then realized i didn't is fun....

would you mind PMing me the answer?

[Draft Dodger]

Still trying to figure out who 15.1 is. First thought was a politician but now I'm thinking I've seen him in a movie/tv show where he played a politican or was the main character's boss.

looks like Danny Aiello to me

[QuikSand]

So, for the country in the circle, the greatest geographic area possible would be about a quarter million square kilometers. Find somethign approaching that size, that's fairly evenly shaped (as close to round as possible), and you'll have a decent guess, I think.

[Draft Dodger]

only if banging my hand in frustration on one I thought i just had and then realized i didn't is fun....

would you mind PMing me the answer?

fuck that, just post it.

[Maple Leafs]

"Herpes" is a song title?
I'm going to IM you, in real-time, with every Avalanche score for the rest of the season.

[cthomer5000]

yeah, please post it.

[TRO]

Than the largest country it can be would be no more than approx. 360,000 sq km.

That was what I thought originally but then got off on a tangent (no pun intended) that it not being the center point - but it was after all.Actually 282,600. Maximum area would be a circle. We only eliminate about 12 countries with this number too. Much ado about nothing :)

OK, few more than 12, chart I was counting off of was showing states and countries in the list :)

[TRO]

looks like Danny Aiello to me
At first I dismissed him, but the more I look, the more I can buy this. Not 100% sold though.

[QuikSand]

So, for the country in the circle, the greatest geographic area possible would be about a quarter million square kilometers. Find somethign approaching that size, that's fairly evenly shaped (as close to round as possible), and you'll have a decent guess, I think.

Romania doesn't look like a bad candidate to me, initially. Area is about 230,000 sq km.

[digamma]

My question on the country question is whether you have to remain on dry land. One would assume, no?

[Maple Leafs]

A helper for #28 - don't assume there's actually any overlap between the two songs.

[TredWel]

On a completely different subject, #34 is Sissy Spacek.

[BrianD]

Actually 282,600. Maximum area would be a circle. We only eliminate about 12 countries with this number too. Much ado about nothing :)

I think we should be looking at a country with an area of 70,650, or 1/4 a circle with a 300km radius.

[Buccaneer]

Romania doesn't look like a bad candidate to me, initially. Area is about 230,000 sq km.
Plus a couple African countries, Burkina Faso and Western Sahara - but not looking at a map.

[cthomer5000]

A helper for #28 - don't assume there's actually any overlap between the two songs.
I'm blown away by this one. They were one of the groups i thought of then researched, and somehow the 2nd hit wasn't even on the greatest hits compliation i came across, so i scrapped them.

[QuikSand]

A helper for #28 - don't assume there's actually any overlap between the two songs.

Sure makes Fun, Fun Fun sound better and better.

[ThunderingHERD]

Sure makes Fun, Fun Fun sound better and better.

Except <i>Surfin' USA</i> was their first top 10 hit.

[Buccaneer]

My question on the country question is whether you have to remain on dry land. One would assume, no?
I don't know. We know it's not an island but it says "you would no longer be in the country you started from". Does that imply that you are now in another country or just outside of the country?

[Solecismic]

For #19, I'm working on a solution where you can add an "a" to the first syllable to make a new word. That would make the solution "rabbi - arab." But I can't get "tennis" to work, the other five words do.

[QuikSand]

Except <i>Surfin' USA</i> was their first top 10 hit.

Maybe they discount "USA" as not a word, and count the two words as "Surfin'" and "Fun" in total?

[TRO]

Romania doesn't look like a bad candidate to me, initially. Area is about 230,000 sq km.
Might be a shade too wide. I'm checking with a mapping program and it seems there are some widths larger than 600km.

[QuikSand]

One very round country, Romania (http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/ro.htm)

[TazFTW]

At first I dismissed him, but the more I look, the more I can buy this. Not 100% sold though.
I don't believe it is Aiello.

Maybe someone can upload a better scan of #15 (in color).

[BrianD]

Might be a shade too wide. I'm checking with a mapping program and it seems there are some widths larger than 600km.

I still think a width larger than 300km is going to give you trouble.

[QuikSand]

I still think a width larger than 300km is going to give you trouble.

I have reread the question, and just disagree. I think the 600km diamater circle is the correct mental picture here.

[JeeberD]

Maybe they discount "USA" as not a word, and count the two words as "Surfin'" and "Fun" in total?

But "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Surfin'" doesn't equal five words...

[Craptacular]

Is #15-3 Sandra Bullock? That was the name that jumped out at me immediately.

[Buccaneer]

Ok, back to the old argument. What specific point are they talking or should we assume?

[QuikSand]

But "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Surfin'" doesn't equal five words...

Full point.

[Maple Leafs]

But "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Surfin'" doesn't equal five words...
Fun, fun, fun is the wrong path.

[Solecismic]

My thinking on #32 is the word Harp - the others are all images on the current 1 Euro coin.

[QuikSand]

Ok, back to the old argument. What specific point are they talking or should we assume?

The question just assumes that there exists such a starting point. It ends "what is the largest country you could have started from?" -- this pretty clearly means you/we get to select the point necessary to accomodate the largest possible country. I don't think it's ambiguous at all.

[BrianD]

I have reread the question, and just disagree. I think the 600km diamater circle is the correct mental picture here.

What if the specific point is on the edge of that circle?

[digamma]

What if the specific point is on the edge of that circle?
We can find a bigger country where the specific point is in the center, most likely.

[QuikSand]

What if the specific point is on the edge of that circle?

You and I are just not connecting.

The specific point is, by definition, the center of the circle. And no spot on the edge of the circle can include any part of the country. Parts can, theoretically, be 599 km apart, but thay can never be 600km apart.

With me?

[Maple Leafs]

I read the question as "In the country we're thinking of, there is at least one point that satisfies the requirements on the questions". If there was one and only one point in the entire country, even if it was wedged in the corner, the answer would be correct.

And it's also worth point out the obvious -- it says "no longer be in the country", not "be in a different country".

[Buccaneer]

I agree (with QS) since it says "any direction" which means "all directions". The other key word is "largest country" since any of the smaller, non-island countries would also fit.

[ThunderingHERD]

First I'm looking at #21... but what about the US, if you started in Alaska?

[BrianD]

You and I are just not connecting.

The specific point is, by definition, the center of the circle. And no spot on the edge of the circle can include any part of the country. Parts can, theoretically, be 599 km apart, but thay can never be 600km apart.

With me?

I'm with you, I just disagree with the way you are reading the question. I don't think we get to pick the midde of the circle. I read the question as finding a country were no point within the country is more than 300km from a border.

[TRO]

FWIW, I think the answer could end up being something other than a "roundish" country. I'm thinking something with a potentially wierd shape like Laos or the like.

Someplace with a curvature that makes a strip that is no more than 600km wide.

[QuikSand]

Might be a shade too wide. I'm checking with a mapping program and it seems there are some widths larger than 600km.

Looks like you're right... using primitive methods, I'm guessing it's about 650km across, even if you set aside the Dobrogea region. Dammit.

[BrianD]

First I'm looking at #21... but what about the US, if you started in Alaska?

I think this has possibilities.

[TRO]

I'm with you, I just disagree with the way you are reading the question. I don't think we get to pick the midde of the circle. I read the question as finding a country were no point within the country is more than 300km from a border.
Which means that it can be 300km from a border, each direction. 600km total.

[ThunderingHERD]

First I'm looking at #21... but what about the US, if you started in Alaska?

Nevermind, I don't guess there's anyway you could make that work in every direction.

[Draft Dodger]

My thinking on #32 is the word Harp - the others are all images on the current 1 Euro coin.

well, I was close...

[JeeberD]

Alaska is pretty damn big, vato.

[BrianD]

Which means that it can be 300km from a border, each direction. 600km total.

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.

[TRO]

FWIW, I think the answer could end up being something other than a "roundish" country. I'm thinking something with a potentially wierd shape like Laos or the like.

Someplace with a curvature that makes a strip that is no more than 600km wide.Expanding on this idea, what about India? Bangladesh helps create a nice little nook. Tuck our point in on the western side and I think we might have something.

I certainly can "exit" the country with a specific point in this scenario but I end up crossing Bangladesh and end up back in India. I think that probably nixes it.

[digamma]

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.
Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.

[QuikSand]

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.

I can't square this with the wording of the actual puzzle, so I give up. I'll keep working on it as I understand it.

[QuikSand]

Expanding on this idea, what about India? Bangladesh helps create a nice little nook. Tuck our point in on the western side and I think we might have something.

Unless we're talking about a country that has a segment that is not attached to the rest of the country (which I suppose is possible), then we're talking about a country that fits in a 600km diamater circle. Small country.

Since the Darjeeling region actually connects around Bangladesh, I don't see anything on the map of India that fits (as unattached)... am I missing something?

[BrianD]

Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.

[TazFTW]

21. Chile? It's a thin country.

[QuikSand]

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

[TRO]

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.
You're reading it as if we're being told "You're in a country on a continent in the world...."

We're not being told that we have to find a country that can satisfy any point within the country. We're being told we have to find a point that we can travel 300km in any direction and no longer be in the country we started.

[TRO]

21. Chile? It's a thin country.
Also a very LONG country.

[Buccaneer]

Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.That's exactly how I see it. Since we are looking for the "largest" possible country, the middle point gives us the most area. The country cannot be more than 600 km from any one point to another point, even accounting for its curve over water or another country. For example, Vietnam is, at its widest, 600 km but is longer than that. 300 km will not get you out of the country.

[TRO]

Cambodia?

[BrianD]

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

I don't know if I am right on my main point, but I think I am right to argue that this is indeed ambiguous. :D

[TredWel]

Never mind, nothing to see here.

[QuikSand]

This seems like a decent list of candidates for #21:


76. Gabon 257,667 sq km
77. Guinea 245,857 sq km
78. United Kingdom 241,590 sq km
79. Ghana 230,940 sq km
80. Laos 230,800 sq km
81. Romania 230,340 sq km
82. Oman 212,460 sq km
83. Belarus 207,600 sq km
84. Uganda 199,710 sq km
85. Guyana 196,850 sq km
86. Senegal 192,000 sq km
87. Kyrgyzstan 191,300 sq km
88. Syria 184,050 sq km
89. Cambodia 176,520 sq km
90. Uruguay 173,620 sq km
91. Suriname 161,470 sq km
92. Tunisia 155,360 sq km
93. Tajikistan 142,700 sq km
94. Nepal 136,800 sq km
95. Bangladesh 133,910 sq km
96. Greece 130,800 sq km
97. Eritrea 121,320 sq km
98. Korea, North 120,410 sq km
99. Nicaragua 120,254 sq km
100. Honduras 111,890 sq km

[dacman]

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.

[QuikSand]

Assuming you can pick the point, I think Vladivostok, Russia would be the winner. China to the East and North, Sea of Japan to the West and South.

I read the question to assume more than the four principal directions... but rather an infinite number of possible directions, including the entirety of the circle we've been describing.

[VPI97]

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.Exactly

[Draft Dodger]

Unless we're talking about a country that has a segment that is not attached to the rest of the country (which I suppose is possible), then we're talking about a country that fits in a 600km diamater circle. Small country.



I think we are talking about a country with an odd shape, which is why I was thinking Italy...
it's close, but I can't find a point that quite gets you out of Italy in any direction.

but I do think it's something funkily shaped like that.

[QuikSand]

Cambodia?

The NE/SW axis looks pretty close to me... but if it fits, it's our winner.

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/cb-map.gif

[Buccaneer]

Not necessarily, DD, because most of the counties on Quik's list satisfies the question. We need to find the largest one.

[digamma]

I think we are talking about a country with an odd shape, which is why I was thinking Italy...
it's close, but I can't find a point that quite gets you out of Italy in any direction.

but I do think it's something funkily shaped like that.
I would think an odd shape hurts us because we might be left with one distance that doesn't fit. I think the earlier thought that the rounder we find might be the biggest we find might be correct.

[Draft Dodger]

Also a very LONG country.

but if Chile is slanted in such a way that 300 km from a point (probably one of th e tips) is in a different country, this could be the answer.

[QuikSand]

Other candidates, slightly smaller than Cambodia:

Uruguay

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/uy-map.gif

Suriname

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/ns-map.gif

[Draft Dodger]

Not necessarily, DD, because most of the counties on Quik's list satisfies the question. We need to find the largest one.

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...

[Maple Leafs]

Before I head off for the evening: The answer to #28 is The Ohio Express, with 'Yummy yummy yummy' and 'Chewy chewy'.

[TRO]

The NE/SW axis looks pretty close to me... but if it fits, it's our winner.

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/cb-map.gif
Looking like about 620km NE/SW on my mapper. Grr.

[TRO]

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...
I was down this path for a while but even the oddest shapes couldn't work for me. Such as India with the Eastern section that wraps around Bangladesh. 300 km basically crosses Bangladesh back into India.

I do think it is still a possibility to find an odd shaped country that fits though.

[QuikSand]

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...

I'm hoping that the phrasing below, completely accurate, is clear enough to put this to bed:

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.

[VPI97]

Looking like about 620km NE/SW on my mapper. Grr.I used the more crude method :D

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/VPI97/cbmap1.gif

[BrianD]

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

I think you may be right....about being able to pick a point, not about it being not ambiguous. :)

If we do get to pick a point, should we be looking for a country with a disconnected piece, or something like that? Is there a country made up mostly of islands, but with a mainland piece with might satisfy the problem?

[Buccaneer]

Belarus is larger.

[TazFTW]

What about Argentina? The Ushuaia part (or would that count as an island?).
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/maps/ar-map.gif

[cthomer5000]

Camboida is no good.

[cthomer5000]

I used the more crude method :D
heh. you'll see basically the same thing in my paint program right now. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

[TRO]

Ushuaia is technically part of an island. I think that might disqualify it.

Otherwise, it is a brilliant answer.

[Buccaneer]

I just go to worldatlas.com

[QuikSand]

If Uruguay and Suriname are both no good... it looks like we slide a ways down the list (to my crude eye).

Maybe to Nicaragua?

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/nu-map.gif

[Buccaneer]

Ushuaia is technically part of an island. I think that might disqualify it.

Otherwise, it is a brilliant answer.
Except if you head NNW 300 km, you would still be there.

[TRO]

Except if you head NNW 300 km, you would still be there.
There is a point on the SSE corner than you can stick yourself and be able to go 300km in any direction. But since we can't be on an island. No need to argue *too* much about it :)

[Draft Dodger]

I'm hoping that the phrasing below, completely accurate, is clear enough to put this to bed:

Rest assured, dacman's phrasing is completely accurate. that is NOT in question with me.

[TRO]

If Uruguay and Suriname are both no good... it looks like we slide a ways down the list (to my crude eye).

Maybe to Nicaragua?

http://images.nationmaster.com/images/maps/nu-map.gif
Safe to say, this is the smallest we need to go.

[ThunderingHERD]

Does Greenland count with Denmark? And would Denmark even fit?

[QuikSand]

Rest assured, dacman's phrasing is completely accurate. that is NOT in question with me.

Then I fail to understand why you're still bringing up "odd shaped" countries that are far larger than the entire circle mentioned. Unless it's a country that happens to have a separated part (like south Argentine above) how could a country like Italy or anything else anywhere near its size possibly fit this description?

[cthomer5000]

Safe to say, this is the smallest we need to go.
Yeah. And it's going to be tought to go much bigger.

[JeeberD]

I'm with DD. All you have to do is find one point in an odd shaped country where "every point on the circle itself is outside that country." The point doesn't have to be in the center of the country, does it?

[TRO]

I think Suriname trumps Nicaragua...

http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/samerica/lgcolor/srcolor.gif