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phenomenal brainpower
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:54 pm
by Istenem
some of you have seen this before but it is still worth four minutes of anyone's life:
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Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:16 am
by JG
Had Carol stumped, she needed a calculator. Beggars belief, not a CLUE how he thought that one out in 30 seconds.
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:02 am
by grecian
One of the most impressive moments on British television ever, that.
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 4:28 pm
by roberto la vigna
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.
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:17 pm
by Matt Vinyl
Fantastic stuff! When does he reveal the Texas Instrument he has under the desk?

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:48 pm
by MrRed
Amazing
Not the fact he did it
The fact he did it in 30 seconds
Wow
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:05 pm
by grecian
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.
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:27 am
by sir ratholer
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.
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:30 am
by Drpepper
can't get the link to work, can anoyne tell me what to type into youtube so i can see it?
Cheers.
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:41 am
by mr lugsy
try : countdown-the most extraordinary numbers game
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:56 am
by Matt Vinyl
Sounds like something Edmonds would say!

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:29 am
by mr lugsy
you have won ,this is your countdown mug/teapot now.
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:35 pm
by alcozar
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.
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:52 pm
by Matt Vinyl
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?

Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:57 pm
by roberto la vigna
I think Stelling is great.