NationStates Jolt Archive

Here's a brain teaser for you. Five dice are rolled on the table, and the question is "how many petals around the rose?.

The roller, who knows the correct answer, must honestly state whether the guess is correct or not. He/she must never explain how the answer is derived, and anyone who figures it out is sworn to secrecy. No helping anyone - they're on their own.

The online version is here:

http://www.borrett.id.au/computing/petals-j.htm

tag

Very easy. Very similar to the "polar bears come in pairs, like petals around a flower" game.

I saw one person get it within a few rolls, and others tie their brains into knots over it. It was easier for me on the screen, as opposed to having dice on the table.

I saw one person get it within a few rolls, and others tie their brains into knots over it. It was easier for me on the screen, as opposed to having dice on the table.
The other version of the game, with fish and plankton, is much harder. (instead of petals, it has polar bears, fish and plankton. Polar bears are found in much the same way, fish and plankton I still haven't gotten)

Two rolls, but I did spend quite a bit of time looking at it because it didn't quite work in the first browser I tried.

I don't get it.
Stupid game. :p

I figure if I didn't get it in 15 rolls, I probably won't in 100. I love brain-teasers and puzzles, but this one seems to be over my head.

I figure if I didn't get it in 15 rolls, I probably won't in 100. I love brain-teasers and puzzles, but this one seems to be over my head.
It's very simple.

The other version of the game, with fish and plankton, is much harder. (instead of petals, it has polar bears, fish and plankton. Polar bears are found in much the same way, fish and plankton I still haven't gotten)

Any links to this game?

Under the conditions of the game, there are only two clues that can be given.

One of them is this: the name of the game is significant.

Can you solve 'The Petals Around The Rose'?

The name of the game doesn't make a great deal of sense: surely petals are part of a rose, rather than something which are 'around' it?

It's very simple.I've gathered that it has to be, what with the only thing you work with being 5 dice, and their resulting rolls being random. I managed to get 3 correct guesses, but I couldn't repeat the logic successfully for any of them.

It's very simple.

I'll bet you a virtual beer that some very intelligent people will have trouble with it. I just came from a wedding where I watched a number of people try it with dice, listened to them verbalize their supposed solutions. Brains work differently, that's what makes the game interesting.

AWW *BLEEP*.

I can't believe I didn't get that before now. :headbang:

When I was first shown this a few years ago, I spent hours looking at it. Finally, my friend had to hack the code of the program for us to figure it out.

Yes, we're losers.

But they say, the smarter you are, the longer it takes. Dunno if this is true or not.

The name of the game doesn't make a great deal of sense: surely petals are part of a rose, rather than something which are 'around' it?

Part of the charm, I guess - the author named it. Also, if you figure it out, you get to be a 'Potentate of The Rose' on the website.

I'll bet you a virtual beer that some very intelligent people will have trouble with it. I just came from a wedding where I watched a number of people try it with dice, listened to them verbalize their supposed solutions. Brains work differently, that's what makes the game interesting.
Yep, it's so easy that it becomes hard if you try to brute force it :D

When I was first shown this a few years ago, I spent hours looking at it. Finally, my friend had to hack the code of the program for us to figure it out.

Yes, we're losers.

But they say, the smarter you are, the longer it takes. Dunno if this is true or not.

There's something to what you say (if it's true then CSW is in trouble - j/k), but I would prefer to say that one can over-analyze it. Again, the name is significant.

I liked this bit deeper in the website:

PRINT "THE NAME OF THE GAME IS PEDAL AROUND THE ROSES"

I had to smile when reading the article they had on Bill Gates and his associates, as I took the same approach that didn't work for them. I was just expecting something much more... I don't know. The subtlety of it just floors you.

bastard you werent supposed to say that!!!!

my chem teacher did this to us on the first day...something about problem solveing...

took me a while, but I got it.

Which bit of "He/she must never explain how the answer is derived, and anyone who figures it out is sworn to secrecy" didn't you understand?

Which bit of "He/she must never explain how the answer is derived, and anyone who figures it out is sworn to secrecy" didn't you understand?
Derived is such a complex word :(

Which bit of "He/she must never explain how the answer is derived, and anyone who figures it out is sworn to secrecy" didn't you understand?


I understood perfectly... but just because someone tells me I'm sworn to something, doesn't mean I am....

took me a while, but I got it.

Thanks for giving it away, buddy... :mp5:

I understood perfectly... but just because someone tells me I'm sworn to something, doesn't mean I am....

The thread is for people who play the game. Playing the game means following the rules. One of the rules is not to reveal how the game operates. By breaking the rules of the game you do not belong in the thread. As such your post qualifies as spam.

Ruined it for me before I even got to try it. :(

Thanks a bunch.

You are supposed to tell that, it ruins the game completely. I had mentioned that in my first post. You could delete that post if you want to keep it going for others to play, up to you.

You'll be wanting to edit your quote there.

The thread is for people who play the game. Playing the game means following the rules. One of the rules is not to reveal how the game operates. By breaking the rules of the game you do not belong in the thread. As such your post qualifies as spam.


more like, your MOM qualifies as spam!

more like, your MOM qualifies as spam!
Oh look, a two year old :rolleyes:

I understood perfectly... but just because someone tells me I'm sworn to something, doesn't mean I am....

Dude, please delete your post. This is about having fun, and consideration for others. It's not a victory for you to solve it and publish it. I and others will judge you by your decency and intelligence in posting, here's a good opportunity for you to show what type of person you are.

Ruined it for me before I even got to try it. :(

Thanks a bunch.


oh boo hoo. I'm sure I ruined your entire day.

Dude, please delete your post.


...and you delete where you quoted his post?

Dude, please delete your post. This is about having fun, and consideration for others. It's not a victory for you to solve it and publish it. I and others will judge you by your decency and intelligence in posting, here's a good opportunity for you to show what type of person you are.




hmmmmm..... no.

it's much more amusing to keep th epost up and observe you all clamor about.

oh boo hoo. I'm sure I ruined your entire day.
modalert: asshole

hmmmmm..... no.

it's much more amusing to keep th epost up and observe you all clamor about.


on second thought, I believe I've had enough childish fun for one day.

the post is deleted.

on second thought, I believe I've had enough childish fun for one day.

the post is deleted.
Quoting yourself, n00b?

...and you delete where you quoted his post?

Thanks, Grampus - done.

Fairnessburg - it really does work better in here when people act decently. Appreciate your cooperation, thanks.

Quoting yourself, n00b?

yes.... very observant.

I had about 10 rolls of the dice where I could not get it at all. In fairness, I had several double-scotch's in me, but the Bill Gates approach wasn't working well.

I watched from the sidelines for a while, more interested in how people were reacting and what questions they asked. I came home, sobered up, and when I tried the online version I saw the solution instantly, like an epiphany. I don't know whether it was the intermission or the the lack of alcohol, but it just clicked. Could be the visual presentation made the difference?

Anyone else solved it yet, or have any interesting comments?

Ok, fortunately I didn't see the answer before I played the game. And then when I saw the answer, it didn't make much sense to me. Of course, I was saying "Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day!!" over and over so I wouldn't make sense out of it.

Thanks for getting rid of the answer though.

BTW, got it on the third try on the website. Looks like I don't have to change my NS name to just "Wasted" yet :) But I'm still not sure if I have the answer or if it was just luck. I'm going back to the website now...

Ok, fortunately I didn't see the answer before I played the game. And then when I saw the answer, it didn't make much sense to me. Of course, I was saying "Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day!!" over and over so I wouldn't make sense out of it.

Thanks for getting rid of the answer though.

BTW, got it on the third try on the website. Looks like I don't have to change my NS name to just "Wasted" yet :) But I'm still not sure if I have the answer or if it was just luck. I'm going back to the website now...

Yeah, a shame to spoil the game. BTW, thanks for the image of a frigid Ms. Thatcher!

If you get 10 in a row, you can join Bill gates in the 'Potentate of The Rose' club on the website. Anyone who is really stuck can ask me for the final (and legal) clue.

Yeah, a shame to spoil the game. BTW, thanks for the image of a frigid Ms. Thatcher!

If you get 10 in a row, you can join Bill gates in the 'Potentate of The Rose' club on the website. Anyone who is really stuck can ask me for the final (and legal) clue.

Sorry to leave anybody with a "chilling thought" about Ms. Thatcher. Of course I lifted that from Austin Powers, but it really does zap just about anything you might be tempted to think about.

I might have been a little premature in thinking I had it after two rolls, but I got it after fourteen. So I'm not going to drop the "Genius" from my NS name, but I am considering setting up a puppet state called "Wasted Monkey", since thats what I felt like after I finally figured it out. :D

Thanks for the fun game!

The name of the game doesn't make a great deal of sense: surely petals are part of a rose, rather than something which are 'around' it?

They fell off or something.

It took me 15 rolls to figure out how the puzzle works.

Think outside of the box.

Got it in 4, tricky though.

Got it in 7 rolls. The first 6 rolls did my head in untill it clicked that I was being to clever for my own good.

Was this supposed to be difficult? The name of the game tells you the solution. :confused:

FINALLY got it! And then found a neat way to incorperate it into class. Hmm... *starts thinking of ways to torture, er, challenge his students*

I read the first few posts, thought of a theory, went to the link and tried it.



Got it in one.

Please tell me the other legal clue!!!!! I'm not usually an idiot. Best in my year in the maths test, why are you being so horrible?

Please tell me the other legal clue!!!!! I'm not usually an idiot. Best in my year in the maths test, why are you being so horrible?
The name of the game is "The Petals Around the Rose", the name is very important. The number can be 0 or an even number. Good luck.

And if I have to sweat this out, so do you.

But all those clues were on the site! Godammit. I've only got one and I'm starting to think it was a complete guess.

Please tell me the other legal clue!!!!! I'm not usually an idiot. Best in my year in the maths test, why are you being so horrible?

I gave a clue.

So you did, I don't get it though and it wasn't legal!

So you did, I don't get it though and it wasn't legal!

It'll come to you. Keep the phrase in mind as you stare at the dice for the next hour.

Oh it's so easy. I can't believe all you had to do was count the... :D

What an evil game. So easy to over-analyse!

But all those clues were on the site! Godammit. I've only got one and I'm starting to think it was a complete guess.

When you finally have the solution, you will be able to get 100% correct very easily. And you will be kicking yourself in the pants for not seeing it sooner!

it took me so long
1 hour sitting there doing nothing but that until finally
oooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
i get it now
i laughed like crazy cause of how dumb i was

There is one other clue partially given by the game that I want to know before I properly try it out. In his description of the game, the site's author outlines playing the game with proper dice. He does not, however, mention whether he uses coloured dice, which someone to whom he asked the problem personally would know.

Does he use coloured dice when submitting the problem in person?

EDIT: I have actually got the solution now, but I'd still like to know the answer to this question. It seems like there's an aspect of the puzzle added by the Javascript puzzle that may not be included in the manual puzzle.

Does he use coloured dice when submitting the problem in person?

Any colour of dice will work equally well in the game, whether they be all the same colour or not. This is not to say that all six sided dice are appropriate for the game though.

Took about 90 minutes, I clicked after about 10 minutes that there seemed to be no maths involved and I was working with trying to realise the clue in the title, just couldn't make the connection....then after a cup of tea (the solution to all things) I figured it....wahoo.

I cheated. If I hadn't, I feel confident that I would have never gotten the answer to this. Very humbling.

I think I'm making it too complicated. But now that I've tried every complicated way of figuring it out, I can't figure out the easy way to do it. Argh! :headbang:

I finally figured it out. I followed someone's earlier advice to think outside of the box and it really worked.

i'm not even gonna try this because i know my :headbang: will not get any smarter by figuring out how dumb i really am :p

10 rolls, but that included 6 in a row before they said i had it... :-) (and the first to get a first clue...)

I got it....oi..

It's not that difficult.

Golly gee whiz!
I finally got it!
Hazzah!

Took me 8 rolls before I cottoned on. Not a bad lateral-thinking game.

Cute game, but the two clues listed right above it completely give it away. I got it in one.
:D

Anyone not seen or tried this game? Now that I've seen a number of people play it here and in RL, I find it fascinating how differently individuals tackle this.

Some get it right away and can't understand what the fuss is about. A few solve it logically within 20 or so tries. Some very bright people really struggle with it, and it just slays them when they work it out.

I think people who try this using six-sided dice may be at a disadvantage.

I just don't get it. at all. I have never been able to solve puzzles like this.

I got it on my second try, but I don't know if that means I'm smart or dumb considering someone said that it will probably take smart people longer. :confused:

I just don't get it. at all. I have never been able to solve puzzles like this.

Hey, don't quit! The common denominator among people who don't get it right away is taking a break. Don't stare at it too long.

You have to 'think outside the box'. Those who get it immediately just think differently - maybe lateral thinking is a good term.

One of my friends is law enforcement, he got it in two tries. He thinks it's because of the skills he uses at work.

Hey, don't quit! The common denominator among people who don't get it right away is taking a break. Don't stare at it too long.

You have to 'think outside the box'. Those who get it immediately just think differently - maybe lateral thinking is a good term.

One of my friends is law enforcement, he got it in two tries. He thinks it's because of the skills he uses at work.

haha, quit? I've never solved one of these puzzles correctly before*, but I'm DETERMINED to get this one. I was about to try "the tea solution" indeed.


*this is a semi-true statement. I may have solved one logic puzzle before, but not more than that.

I've been thinking about it for an hour now, and I can't see how it's done. I'll probably never get it.

If you are really frustrated, try the usual suspects.

I've been thinking about it for an hour now, and I can't see how it's done. I'll probably never get it.


Any of you guys that can't get it but really want to, can TG me. Up to you.

I thought of a tip that helps orient you correctly without making it easy. May be more satisfying than quitting. Plus, you can then torment others when you have the solution.

If you are really frustrated, try the usual suspects.

Good movie, but which of these dice is Kaisar Sose?

Beats me.

Any of you guys that can't get it but really want to, can TG me. Up to you.

I thought of a tip that helps orient you correctly without making it easy. May be more satisfying than quitting. Plus, you can then torment others when you have the solution.


GAH, that's tempting, but nah. I've sat here for an hour, went away, came back, had a cup of tea... I've invested too much time to get another clue :D I just can't figure out WHY the name is important (don't say, mind!)

GAH, that's tempting, but nah. I've sat here for an hour, went away, came back, had a cup of tea... I've invested too much time to get another clue :D I just can't figure out WHY the name is important (don't say, mind!)

Yeah I'm not gonna ask for help, but I'm also never gonna 'solve' it.

Good movie, but which of these dice is Kaisar Sose?

Beats me.
Er, more along the lines of where do the people of NationStates normally turn to when trying to find an answer?

Er, more along the lines of where do the people of NationStates normally turn to when trying to find an answer?

I should ask Tink for the answer? :rolleyes:

Heh.

I went to bed after attacking it in one manner for two hours, within two minutes of thought I had the answer.

Kinda funny, I'd worked out some of the mathematical rules to it, but couldn't see what was actually going on, only what was *not* happening, if that makes sense.