Well, seems Glyn has also found the reasons. In case others are still puzzled, try to find the special property of
8549176320 (no, the next brainteaser is not it, nor my origin
).
Okay let me put up my next one ahead of schedule. I think the digit game is getting old so let's have a change of format:
The 6 golden measuring rodsThe King once ordered the goldsmith to make
21 shafts of pure gold, all having lengths of integers in units. And then he asked the goldsmith to join them into 6 straight rods, each formed with a different number of shafts. He specially required that the 6 finished rods can only have marks at the joints between shafts, and no other marks. And most importantly, he demanded the goldsmith to join them in such a way that using the 6 rods as measuring tools, he could measure each length from
1 to 56 units, either with a whole rod or a section of a rod.
Can you help the goldsmith on how to join the shafts together into the 6 measuring rods?
Warning:
It's a very hard one, and one probably need a computer and some programming skills to find the answer. However, extra kudos to the ones who manage to tackle it manually.