Can you solve the secret werewolf riddle? - Dan Finkel | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In order to save the town from a werewolf, you must divide a 50-gram antidote square into fifths using a laser-cutting tool and strategic cutting points.

Key Insights

• 🤩 Experimentation is key when solving puzzles involving cutting and rearranging.
• 💇 Starting with a quarter of the square and making additional cuts can help achieve the desired fifths.
• 💇 A laser-cutting tool provides the necessary precision for accurate divisions.
• 😥 With only eight cutting points, there is a limited number of reasonable options to consider.
• ❓ Geometry can be used to solve the problem, but experimentation is often easier.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How can you divide the square into fifths using only one remaining 50-gram square?

By experimenting with different cutting points, you can start with a quarter of the square and make additional cuts until you form four triangles and a square in the middle, resulting in perfect fifths.

Q: Why is it important to use a laser-cutting tool and not any other means?

The laser-cutting tool provides precise cuts, ensuring accurate division of the square into fifths. Other means might not provide the necessary level of precision.

Q: What happens if the square has more or fewer than eight cutting points?

With more cutting points, there would be numerous options to consider, making it more challenging. With fewer cutting points, there might not be enough possible combinations to achieve perfect fifths.

Q: Can the remaining pieces that form triangles be rearranged into a square?

Yes, the pieces that make up each triangle can be rearranged to form a square identical to the one in the middle. This discovery leads to the realization that the antidote has been divided into perfect fifths.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• You have narrowed down the suspects of a werewolf to five people and plan to slip a square of antidote into their dinners.

• However, your pet goat ate four squares, leaving you with only one 50-gram square left.

• By strategically cutting the remaining square using a laser-cutting tool and eight available cutting points, you can divide the antidote into perfect fifths and save everyone.