I'm gonna give you guys three numbers. A
three number sequence and I have a rule in mind that these three numbers obey
and I want you to try to figure out what that rule is. But the way you can get information is by proposing your own set of three numbers, to which I will say yes that follows my rule or no it doesn't follow my rule. And then you can propose what you think the rule is. Is that fair? Okay, so here are the three
numbers: 2, 4, 8. 2, 4, 8. You don't need to continue the sequence,
you can propose a totally different sequence, whatever you want to propose
and I will simply say yes or no 2, 4, 8? 16, 32 16 32 and 64? Those also follow my rule. ok What's the rule you think? Multiply by 2? That is... not my rule. What? That's not my rule. But you're allowed, if you want, propose 3 other numbers. 3, 6, 12. 3, 6, 12? Follows my rule. 10, 20, 40. That follows the rule. I'm still multiplying by two I know [Laughter] I know what you're doing. and yes it follows my rule but no it's not
my rule. 5, 10 and 20? Follows my rule 100, 200, 400? Follows my rule 500, 1000, 2000 Follows my rule. You want me to keep going? But do I just keep going? You going to tell me or what? [Laughter] Am I doing it the wrong way? Am I approaching this the wrong way? You're totally fine, but you're approaching the way most
people approach it. Like think strategically about this. You want information. I have
information. The point of the three numbers, right, is to allow you to figure
out what the rule is. Okay, I'm going to give you the
numbers that I don't think fits the sequence and see what you'll say. So I'll say 2, 4, 7. Fits my rule So, whatever I propose is right? So, is
your rule like you can propose any number? So, the rule is anything we say is yes? No Damn it [Laughter] But you were on the right track now. Hit me with three numbers. 3, 6, 9. Follows my rule. Hmm... Oh, that didn't follow my rule. This is good, right? 5, 10, 15. That follows my rule. What? Oh... Really? Yeah I don't believe this. 1, 2, 3? Follows the rule What about 7, 8, 9? [Laughter] Yes, that follows the rule. 8 16 39 Fits the rule. Excellent. But we're no closer to the rule. I want you
get to the rule. How about 1, 7, 13 ? Follows the rule. 11, 12, 13? How does this make sense? Follows the rule. 10, 9, 8? I don't know how to do this. Does not follow the rule. 10, 9, 8 does not. Oh, so, is it all in ascending order? Boo yeah! Up top! Yes. First ones to get it. You guys nailed it That's the rule That's the rule. Numbers in increasing order. Awww Numbers in ascending order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 25, doesn't matter. Any numbers in ascending order. I was inspired to make this video by the
book the black swan by Nassim Taleb. Now, the black swan is a metaphor for the
unknown and the unexpected. I mean in the old world the theory was
that all swans were white. So, each instance of a white swan would
make you think, "Yeah, that theory is pretty good." But the point is you can never
prove a theory true and in fact when people found Australia they realized
that there were black swans. What was interesting for me was that
everyone I spoke to came up with a rule very early on and then only proposed
numbers that fit with that rule they were thinking. I was looking for you guys
to propose a set of numbers that didn't follow your rule and didn't follow
my rule. I was looking for you guys not to try to confirm what you believe.
You're always asking something where you expect the answer to be yes, right? Like, you're trying to get at it.
But, instead you want to get the no's. You want to get the no because that's much more
informational for you then yes, Like everything is a yes.. That is true. That is really true and
once you say that. That is what's so important about the scientific method. We set out to disprove our theories and it's when can't disprove them that we say this
must be getting at something really true about our reality. So, I think we should
do that in all aspects of our lives if you think that something is true you
should try as hard as you can to disprove it. Only then can you really get at the
truth and not fool yourself.
I soon realised there was either no rule, he is a genius and can work out the sequence instantly, or its a really easy rule.
Then shortly after a few more numbers are proposed its apparent there is no rule or the rule is really general. Then if you think for a general rule he can work out quickly, it's an always increasing sequence. So yes I solved it before the answer came up.
i was going to guess the rule was, numbers could only be presented in 3.
the hardest part was watching these people use the same pattern over and over then asking "what about now?"
"have we tried multiples of 2 yet?"
"what about doubling the last number?"
EDIT:
Have we tried a sequence in which we take the first number then add that number to itself to give us the second number? Then we should take that second number and add it to itself to find the third. Now I'm not sure but I think that may get us closer to solving this riddle.
Solved it when 1,2,3 fit the rule. Wasn't that good of a rule to be worth solving.
At 2:05 she says "3,6,9"
Now I can't get that song out of my head.
I thought "Maybe his rule is they're in ascending order" as soon as he said it wasn't multiples of two.
I know that's not impressive but I never solve these things so let me have this and someone congratulate me.
This is the Theory behind that age old car ride game of 20 questions, where the object is not only to determine what your subject is, but what it is NOT so as to narrow down the possibilities as to what it IS.
I read 1/3 of The Black Swan. The essence of this book is that there are statistical outliers, and that outliers (think 9/11, Pearl Harbor, Great Recession, discovery of penicillin) govern history more than any other thing. I guess the lesson is to look out for outliers. But I don't know how to look out for outliers, because, by definition, outliers are hard to anticipate.
ITT: People missing the point of the video