Petals Around The Rose - Puzzle/Game Introduction

[Banat]

Is Petals Around the Rose really a game? Well actually it's probably better described as a puzzle, a challenge or a brain teaser.
http://www.borrett.id.au/computing/petals.htm

Petals around the rose is a thinking game played with dice. For each roll of the dice, there is a single numerical solution. Apparently, it's an old game, often introduced to college students for generations, so probably some have already heard of it.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/820/petals6yv.gif

The game is actually a brain teaser. The dice are rolled, and a question "How many petals are around the rose" is asked. All that can be told is:

# The name of the game is significant.
# The answer will be zero or an even number.
# There is an exact answer to every roll.



Links to the online "Petals around the rose" game:

http://crux.baker.edu/cdavis09/roses.html
http://www.borrett.id.au/computing/petals-j.htm



An interesting idea about the game was suggested by a Dr. Richard Duke from the University of Michigan who explained that the smarter you were, the longer it would take to figure it out. That might be worth discussing.

[Blaphbee]

You sir, are a bastard. I had forgotten all about this game, happily too.

;)

[Ahknaton]

I solved it in about 20 seconds so no Mensa membership for me. Personally I think it all comes down to habits of thought. It's really not possible to say anything further without ruining it for people who haven't solved it yet.

[Gleb]

Ha ha! I got it after about 20 minutes. Although the solution for me was not instant.

[sugartits]

This is the first time I have come across something where not being able to do it may mean you are more intelligent. Personally getting the answer wrong just makes me feel like a frustrated dummy (more and more each time). :p Resultingly I only tried for ten minutes so far.

Perhaps the smarter you are the more easily you overlook something simple? Less likely to think "outside of the box"? Or maybe it has to do with right vs left brained thinking? (Linear vs. Holistic processing, Logical vs Intuitive) more so than intelligence in general.

[Blaphbee]

I'm beginning to think that the people who tell you what the answer it is are completely making it up just to discourage you and be contrary. The entire game is Nietzsche's description of revenge and resentiment from the lower orders against the smater - it's all arbitrary, and will never be solved. The lowest are only doing this to make the higher feel like idiots.

I hate this fucking game - it makes me feel stupider the more I can't figure it out.

[sugartits]

It certainly is arbitrary. I'm switching to sudoku.

[Banat]

I'm beginning to think that the people who tell you what the answer it is are completely making it up just to discourage you and be contrary. The entire game is Nietzsche's description of revenge and resentiment from the lower orders against the smater - it's all arbitrary, and will never be solved. The lowest are only doing this to make the higher feel like idiots.

I hate this fucking game - it makes me feel stupider the more I can't figure it out.

The results of the game aren't arbitrary. Every combination of dice rolls has an exact result, which can be easily calculated within seconds. The solution of the game is so simple and so logical that it borders with being totally obvious. Of course, this doesn't help, for as soon as you start *trying* thinking simple, you are making it more complicated.

When you have solved it, which you inevitably will since this game seems to have started haunting you, I would be interested in your opinion whether it really has anything to do with intelligence, or with something else.

BTW, there is a sequel of this game 99% of those who solved The Petals claim that is much easier, but I haven't been able to see the solution for days.

This is the first time I have come across something where not being able to do it may mean you are more intelligent.

Actually, it is only that professor that claimed that. And he used the word 'smart', not 'intelligent', with which I may agree, because 'smart' might mean 'complicated'.

In fact, the algorithm of the solution is quite simple, and one can find rather easily, but that is not the point - the point is in 'getting' the game.

[sugartits]

Actually, it is only that professor that claimed that. And he used the word 'smart', not 'intelligent', with which I may agree, because 'smart' might mean 'complicated'.

Very true.

The name of the game implies the obviousness of it which is frustrating in itself. I wonder if I'll have better luck at it when drunk.

[sugartits]

Oh. I got it now. LOL Must be a right-brain thing :p

Blaphbee don't give up there really is an answer.

[Banat]

The name of the game implies the obviousness of it which is frustrating in itself.

I think that emphasizing the obviousness of the game only makes it less obvious.

I wonder if I'll have better luck at it when drunk.

I thought the same, and actually that idea led me to the solution. I was very tired, and when seeing the explanation, I started *imagining* as if I was drunk (as silly as it may sound) - and I suddenly just saw it.

[jcs]

I cheated and found the answer by googling it. I would have never thought of that, so I'm glad that, after only two hours of frustration (by the way: I hope you burn in hell for posting this, Banat:p), I gave up and found the answer.

[Helios Panoptes]

It took me a long while and I never did really understand it using the name. There is a strictly mathematical pattern that is revealed with enough repetition and guesses.