So we got the 1st puzzle down....and now what? That's it? on puzzle only?

8/(3-(8/3)) = exactly 24. Do not be trapped by a numerical (calculator) result, a symbolic answer reveals 8/(3-(8/3)) = 8/((9/3)-(8/3)) = 8/(1/3) = 8*3 = 24

The puzzle is unfair...

What do you mean it's unfair?! It's a puzzle, not a contest! Fair has nothing to do with it. You may wish to complain (yes, all you are doing is complaining) that the puzzle is imprecise, but then a puzzle expressed too precisely gives away the answer. The objective is to find the loophole in the directions. Fair is not an issue.

The puzzle is unfair as it asks for the result to equal to 24, and I assume 3, 3, 8, and 8 are whole numbers therefore invalidating the solution 8/(3-(8/3)) since 8/3 is not a whole number it a fraction. So you will never have that expression equal to 24.

it doesnt equal 24.24 because you have to keep the numbers as fractions, otherwise whatever calculator or electronic means you use to calculate it will inevitably round the numbers to some extent. If you keep them in fractions you will get exactly 24 using 8/(3-(8/3))

Any idea when the next puzzle will be up?

whats wrong with 8*3*(3/3)?

You used 3 three times and 8 only once.

whats wrong with 8*3*(3/3)?

There is a website I came upon that seems to be covering the whole challange.

http://googlepuzzles.blogspot.com/

8/(3-(8/3))

this is
8
-
(3-(8)
(-)
(3))
3=9/3, so 9/3 - 8/3 = 1/3. so this becomes
8
-
(1
_
3)
= 8 * 3 = 24

Okay give up - entered your sum , but still don't think is fair - bring back da vinci code - I preferred that variety.....

good film and good book

This quiz is totally doing my head in, staring a 4 numbers that just don't seem to work. I thought maybe it should go into negative numbers but then I cannot get them whole again!!!! gasp gasp... and your answer here of 8/(3-(8/3)) does not generate 24 completely but 24.24 so cannot be correct otherwise that would not be a fair game! HELP
I was also trying to work out 72/3 which came to 24 and generate 0 with one other figure which I cannot get either.....going to have a sleep

is there only 1 puzzles a day

order of operations makes this equal to 64 because without parentheses you must solve both multiplication and division from left to right in order.

But you used the / twice. I thought we could only use it once?

8/(3-(8/3)) works, because 3-(8/3) = 1/3 , so 8 / (1/3) = 8*3 = 24

Your getting 1 because thats 24/24 :)

8*3/3*8

8 times 3 divided by 3 times 8

There probably should be paragraphs there, but I don't know how to use them.

What am I doing wrong?

I have a feeling its something to do with getting a number less than 0 e.g. 3/8 = 0.375 and then 8/0.375 = 21.3333333(recurring) then add 3 = 24.3333333(recurring). This is the closest i have come so far although i'm getting frustrated im enjoying the brain workout

coz (8-3)is calculated first which will be 5*3=15,+8=23 which is not the answer

Sorry if you have to round it to make 24 then it doesnt truly = 24.

I meant by 8/(3-(8/3))

how does that compute to 24...?????Please explain

Quote "I tried (8-3)*3+8, which should work, but doesn't. Why?"

*EDIT*Do not insult others please*EDIT*

15+8=23

I tried (8-3)*3+8, which should work, but doesn't. Why?

For those PERL programmers try this:

http://dvneo.com/8833.txt

/ used twice?

Try 8/(3-(8/3))=24

Answer is 8/(3-(8/3))

first puzzle is up!! =D

Go to this blog entry:

http://google.blognewschannel.com/index.php/archives/2006/05/19/the-da-vinci-quest-continues/

There you will find a link to add the necessary module.

Let the Good Times Roll!.....

..............whatever... lol

Since I deleted the DVCQuest widget off my Google homepage (accidentally)I haven't seen anything about the puzzles. I heard on this site that they will continue , and I know they aren't up yet, but without my widget how will I know when they are up? Where should I look?

The google module isn't active yet, maybe this afternoon?

For those who like SuDoku, there is a nice site that has one new puzzle each day and includes a chat module. It's a nice arena. It can be found at: www.ironsudoku.com and you can be a free member or pay $15 (I think) for a lifetime membership which allows you to play archived puzzles and use the extra features. I think there is a 2-week free trial of the extra features going on now.

Any info on puzzles yet today??

Anyone else notice that this guy's selling the solution to the final challenge?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Google-Da-Vinci-contest-final-quest-answers-no-Cryptex_W0QQitemZ7620694854QQcategoryZ197QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem