I have no idea where to start. I've no talent for maths.

It is not correct to assume that there is only one solution to your puzzle. One possible solution can be described by the polynomial equation:

A[n] = (A[n-1] - A[n-2])^2 + (A[n-3] - A[n-4])^2 + 3A[n-5] - A[n-6]

..... accordingly the next two numbers in the series are: 4,802 and 22,108,901

This may not be what you are looking for, but it is an acceptable solution.

Now I own you!

Ocean, my dear friend: That doesn't even generate a series, let alone the one in question.

Try again, without the bullshit. At least dbd was honest. (BTW I'm not a mathematician either, nor am I a dentist.)

Sorry, but it does generate a series in one possible solution.... I even gave you the next two numbers as proof... so how can you say that it doesn't?

I can believe that you aren't a mathematician; next time, ask a question that you understand.

Com'n admit it... you were beaten.

Sorry, but I don't understand where you're coming from on this.

It's just a puzzle (although one that I suspect you'll not solve).

If you can, show me your how "solution" generates the series in question.

And before we get that far this time, I'm sure your dick is bigger than pretty much everyone else's.

Novo.

Look, I'm tired of your inappropriate and immature responses.... You figured that you presented a puzzle (a series) that no one here could solve, but you were wrong.

FYI, it is very common for a number series to be described by a polynomial equation. The "[n-1]....[n-6]" denotes a subscript. A[n] is the next number in the series, A[n-1] is the number in the series immediately to the left of it, and A[n-2] is immediately to the left of A[n-1], and so on. If you evaluate the equation, you will see that it works.... I figured that you would have some other answer, but this doesn't invalidate my solution because there can be more than just one.

OK. This is getting silly. But go ahead, as requested, and show me (and the rest of the community here) how your "equation" has any relevance to the series in question.

What is it with you? Bored in paradise? Too much Tequila?

Christ's sake, it's just a puzzle!

Novo.

I've been pressing F5 for a while here, mate. But I'm going to bed now.

Sleep on it.


If you want, I might tell you in the morning. But it's not that hard, you'll have figured it out by then.

NOT!
l
Novo.

Since it's just a puzzle (one that you persisted on pushing), why start with the insults when you get an anwser?

First, read my last post... if you take the square of the difference between 31 and 24 , and add to that the square of the difference between 22 and 18 then add to that 3 times 17 and subtract 16.... like in my polynomial equation.... you get the last number that you provided in the series, which was 100. As far anyone knows, the rest of the series requires factoring in the previous 6 numbers... this is just what I did to compute the next two numbers after 100 using the general equation. In other words, I was able to find a "mathematical rule" (rather than read your mind for an answer) in the series to compute other numbers in the series.... your answers could be equally valid if you use some other rule hidden in the series.

This reference (Dr. Peterson's answer) should give you more insight on the way this puzzle can be viewed:
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/61071.html

Bottom line: there can be any number of correct answers to your puzzle so long as some "rule" is followed. I used the previous 6 numbers in the series to compute the 7th, 8th and 9th; your solution could be entirely different and not follow any math formula at all... so my answer can't be "wrong", even if it is different from yours. That would simply mean that there are a least two answers.

I think it's the lack of Tequila. Ocean has previously declaimed about the evils of bars and so probably hasn't had much exposure to social situations, thus he wouldn't know that the proper solution to a bar room puzzle has a twist, some element of wit to it. People do not willing give up a round, never mind cognac and cigars, because they've been ground down by an autistic recitation of numbers; they have to smack their heads in surprise.

OK i am now completely confused. I have read Novos question and don't know the answer but even worse i have read Oceans answer and his explaination and now my head hurts.

What's the correct answer? Please.

Now where did I declaim about the evils of bars? Oh, I see, you're just jealous that you failed to come up with a solution. You already conceded that you have no talent in math, so it must be the requirement of wit that got you. Jealous and witless is no way to go through life.

Oh, well said, dbd! That is exactly right.

oMDX has (mis)-applied the method of finite differences to my series (after a heroic bit of googling). The blatant flaw in his "solution" is of course that you can't generate the second term, or the 3rd-5th, by applying his "rule".

I think he's confusing analysis with that gameshow my aged mother watches, is it Countdown?

Here's a hint or two: the key is the first number and the solution is completely base-ic.

Novo.

Well, Google base was launched on November 16.... so that could be the key.

BTW, it's not normal to be able to generate the second term in a number series only from the first.

Who cares! It's all about the willys and this thread is pointless without jpegs.