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        riddles >> medium >> WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
        
(Message started by: atgdax on Nov 22nd, 2006, 11:46am)
Title: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by atgdax on Nov 22nd, 2006, 11:46am
The goal is for Dilbert and Carol to unlink themselves from each other.

How ? its like 2 loops combined, they cannot be sperated , or can they ? ???
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by towr on Nov 22nd, 2006, 11:51am
If they couldn't it wouldn't be much of a puzzle would it. ::)
It helps if the wire is thin though
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by atgdax on Nov 22nd, 2006, 1:01pm
they take it off their hands ?
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Icarus on Nov 22nd, 2006, 1:05pm
That would be cheating. The wire also needs to be sufficiently long.

Hint: [hide]These loops already have breaks.[/hide]
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by atgdax on Nov 22nd, 2006, 1:51pm
should I take a closer look at the picture ?
or consider them tied tight.
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Noke Lieu on Nov 22nd, 2006, 4:27pm

or searching...
Tied tight would hamper their efforts. Not topologically, obviously...


an alternative yet homogenous (basically the same) puzzle is to get your own wirecuff and BEFORE you put the handcuffs on, throw a trefoil/overhand knot in it (like the simplest know you can do), then once cuffed remove the crossing/knot.
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Aurora on May 23rd, 2007, 9:51am
Having looked on as others struggled to find a solution to this problem (practically, I hasten to add), at a maths masterclass, I am delighted to say that it is much easier once you know how.

For those of you still struggling, here is a hint: [hide]there are not two loops as atgdax said, for the loops around the wrists hold the key to solution[/hide].
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Grimbal on May 27th, 2007, 5:34am
It might be a good trick to pick up a girl, but I doubt it will actually work...
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Aurora on May 27th, 2007, 11:16pm
Maybe it would help to say that the boss glued their feet to the floor and they stayed like this until they were untied.
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by rmsgrey on May 28th, 2007, 7:03am

on 05/26/07 at 23:11:38, Crutch wrote:
Dilbert now has his arms around her (his left arm over her left shoulder, his right arm, under her right arm, and he's hugging her lower waste.) The two are so close they are almost kissing.  (To Dilbert's displeasure) (they're facing eachother)


I'm having trouble working out this position - if I'm facing someone, my left is closest to their right, and my right to their left, so unless Dilbert is secretly part octopus, or is in fact upside down at this point, I don't see how this works...
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by SMQ on May 28th, 2007, 11:03am

on 05/28/07 at 07:03:41, rmsgrey wrote:
I don't see how this works...

It doesn't.  With some careful work Dilbert might indeed be able to pass his arms entirely around Carol and end up back where he started, but he'll never get free that way.

--SMQ
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Crutch on May 28th, 2007, 4:04pm
Sorry rmsgrey, it's his left arm, her right shoulder. I wasn't thinking at 2 in the moring. But his right arm is under her left.

Sorry about that, and thanks for noticing rmsgrey
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Crutch on May 28th, 2007, 4:14pm
I just did my answer physically and SMQ you were right, i'm sorry you just end up where you started.
Title: Re: WIRECUFFS  - solution ?
Post by Grimbal on May 29th, 2007, 2:33am
Maybe it would help if you imagine Carol and Dilbert as having no body, but consist entirely of 2 connected arms.  Does it make the situation clearer?


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