Number Sequence Placement

Capuchin · Sep 29, 2009, 05:31 AM

This isn't really a number sequence. The terms are simply in alphabetical order, so 13 is between 10 and 3.

I say it's not a number sequence because you can't predict the next term like you can with number sequences, and the sequence completely changes depending on how far along the number line you go.

ebaines · Sep 29, 2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capuchin

This isn't really a number sequence. The terms are simply in alphabetical order, so 13 is between 10 and 3.

I say it's not a number sequence because you can't predict the next term like you can with number sequences, and the sequence completely changes depending on how far along the number line you go.

Very good! This reminds me of an interesting riddle: if you have a dictionary with all the numbers from one to one trillion written out in alphabetical order (in english), the first number listed would be eight, but what would be the first odd number listed? In determining alphabetical order ignore dashes and spaces (so "eight hundred" comes before "eighty-nine," which comes before "eight thousand").

ArcSine · Sep 29, 2009, 07:16 AM

Wild guess (OK, after a few second- and third-guesses): 8,000,000,885?

ebaines · Sep 29, 2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArcSine

Wild guess (OK, after a few second- and third-guesses): 8,000,000,885?

You're close - but no cigar!

Hint - "eighteen" comes before "eight hundred." So - how to use "eighteen" in a number that starts with "eight billion?"

Unknown008 · Sep 29, 2009, 07:41 AM

Do you mean 8,000,001,885? Eight billion eighteen eighty five?

I'm new to this riddle

ebaines · Sep 29, 2009, 07:50 AM

I like the way you're thinking, but the number 1,885 would be written out as "one thousand eight hundred and eight-five," not as "eighteen hundred and eighty-five." The answer I'm looking for starts with "eight billion, eighteen million ..."