phenomenal brainpower

Istenem · Post by **Istenem** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:54 pm

some of you have seen this before but it is still worth four minutes of anyone's life:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pfa3MHLLSWI&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pfa3MHLLSWI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

JG · Post by JG » Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:16 am

Had Carol stumped, she needed a calculator. Beggars belief, not a CLUE how he thought that one out in 30 seconds.

grecian · Post by **grecian** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:02 am

One of the most impressive moments on British television ever, that.

roberto la vigna · Post by **roberto la vigna** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:28 pm

x 75/25 is effectively multiplying by 3, which would make 318x3=954. Knowing that he's two out, he makes the 2 by doing 50/25 as part of the final step - smart.

Without having to carry out the adjustment, he could have asked for 318/25 = 12.72 before multiplying by 75.

Matt Vinyl · Post by **Matt Vinyl** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:17 pm

Fantastic stuff! When does he reveal the Texas Instrument he has under the desk?

MrRed · Post by **MrRed** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:48 pm

Amazing
Not the fact he did it
The fact he did it in 30 seconds

Wow

grecian · Post by **grecian** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:05 pm

roberto la vigna wrote:x 75/25 is effectively multiplying by 3, which would make 318x3=954. Knowing that he's two out, he makes the 2 by doing 50/25 as part of the final step - smart.

Without having to carry out the adjustment, he could have asked for 318/25 = 12.72 before multiplying by 75.

Great explanation Bob - I've never reverse engineered it, but now you say it that must be his thought process - hence why he neither knew nore cared what 318 x 75 was. Used to work with a guy who knew the chap in question from Cambridge. Sadly, he didn't manage to win the series - got knocked out in the SFs.

sir ratholer · Post by **sir ratholer** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:27 am

Unbelievable stuff - I thought I was a maths whizz but this is purely incredible. Not only the ability but the speed of thought to work out a method like this in 30 seconds, without doubt the most amazing numerical thing I have ever, ever seen.

Drpepper · Post by **Drpepper** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:30 am

can't get the link to work, can anoyne tell me what to type into youtube so i can see it?

Cheers.

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:41 am

try : countdown-the most extraordinary numbers game

Matt Vinyl · Post by **Matt Vinyl** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:56 am

Sounds like something Edmonds would say!

mr lugsy · Post by **mr lugsy** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:29 am

you have won ,this is your countdown mug/teapot now.

alcozar · Post by **alcozar** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:35 pm

Never seen that before, scary math skills to come up with that answer.

The show just isn't the same now with the new host/maths and letters woman, lost interest in it now since i was used to Whiteley's brand of humour and banter with Carol.

Matt Vinyl · Post by **Matt Vinyl** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:52 pm

Vorderman... <Adopts Kenneth Connor-like pose> Phwwwooooooaaaaarrrr!

Agree though - although the mechanics of the show haven't changed, Stelling just doesn't quite pull it off (I suppose that's because vorderman isn't there!)

Does Brandreth still get a look in?

roberto la vigna · Post by **roberto la vigna** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:57 pm

I think Stelling is great.