Esquire's Hardest Quiz Ever - Page 5

ThunderingHERD · 11-14-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

First I'm looking at #21... but what about the US, if you started in Alaska?

Nevermind, I don't guess there's anyway you could make that work in every direction.

Draft Dodger · 11-14-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solecismic

My thinking on #32 is the word Harp - the others are all images on the current 1 Euro coin.

well, I was close...

JeeberD · 11-14-2005, 09:58 PM

Alaska is pretty damn big, vato.

BrianD · 11-14-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Which means that it can be 300km from a border, each direction. 600km total.

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

FWIW, I think the answer could end up being something other than a "roundish" country. I'm thinking something with a potentially wierd shape like Laos or the like.

Someplace with a curvature that makes a strip that is no more than 600km wide.

Expanding on this idea, what about India? Bangladesh helps create a nice little nook. Tuck our point in on the western side and I think we might have something.

I certainly can "exit" the country with a specific point in this scenario but I end up crossing Bangladesh and end up back in India. I think that probably nixes it.

digamma · 11-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.

Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

Again, I don't think we get to pick the middle of a circle. Our specific point could be along a border. If we can't go 300km in any direction, that means that the country is 300km wide.

I can't square this with the wording of the actual puzzle, so I give up. I'll keep working on it as I understand it.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Expanding on this idea, what about India? Bangladesh helps create a nice little nook. Tuck our point in on the western side and I think we might have something.

Unless we're talking about a country that has a segment that is not attached to the rest of the country (which I suppose is possible), then we're talking about a country that fits in a 600km diamater circle. Small country.

Since the Darjeeling region actually connects around Bangladesh, I don't see anything on the map of India that fits (as unattached)... am I missing something?

BrianD · 11-14-2005, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digamma

Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.

TazFTW · 11-14-2005, 10:05 PM

21. Chile? It's a thin country.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

You are assuming we get to pick the point. The wording of the question states that "You're at a specific point in a country on a continent in the world." Since we don't know which point we are on, we should find a country that satisfies these conditions for all points in the country.

You're reading it as if we're being told "You're in a country on a continent in the world...."

We're not being told that we have to find a country that can satisfy any point within the country. We're being told we have to find a point that we can travel 300km in any direction and no longer be in the country we started.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TazFTW

21. Chile? It's a thin country.

Also a very LONG country.

Buccaneer · 11-14-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digamma

Again, it doesn't have to be along a border. If we can find a larger country that satisfies the conditions with a point in the middle, then it's likely going to be bigger than a country measuring from one edge.

That's exactly how I see it. Since we are looking for the "largest" possible country, the middle point gives us the most area. The country cannot be more than 600 km from any one point to another point, even accounting for its curve over water or another country. For example, Vietnam is, at its widest, 600 km but is longer than that. 300 km will not get you out of the country.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:09 PM

Cambodia?

BrianD · 11-14-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

I don't know if I am right on my main point, but I think I am right to argue that this is indeed ambiguous.

TredWel · 11-14-2005, 10:10 PM

Never mind, nothing to see here.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:11 PM

This seems like a decent list of candidates for #21:

Code:

76.	Gabon	257,667 sq km	
77.	Guinea	245,857 sq km	
78.	United Kingdom	241,590 sq km	
79.	Ghana	230,940 sq km	
80.	Laos	230,800 sq km	
81.	Romania	230,340 sq km	
82.	Oman	212,460 sq km	
83.	Belarus	207,600 sq km	
84.	Uganda	199,710 sq km	
85.	Guyana	196,850 sq km	
86.	Senegal	192,000 sq km	
87.	Kyrgyzstan	191,300 sq km	
88.	Syria	184,050 sq km	
89.	Cambodia	176,520 sq km	
90.	Uruguay	173,620 sq km	
91.	Suriname	161,470 sq km	
92.	Tunisia	155,360 sq km	
93.	Tajikistan	142,700 sq km	
94.	Nepal	136,800 sq km	
95.	Bangladesh	133,910 sq km	
96.	Greece	130,800 sq km	
97.	Eritrea	121,320 sq km	
98.	Korea, North	120,410 sq km	
99.	Nicaragua	120,254 sq km	
100.	Honduras	111,890 sq km

dacman · 11-14-2005, 10:12 PM

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TredWel

Assuming you can pick the point, I think Vladivostok, Russia would be the winner. China to the East and North, Sea of Japan to the West and South.

I read the question to assume more than the four principal directions... but rather an infinite number of possible directions, including the entirety of the circle we've been describing.

VPI97 · 11-14-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacman

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.

Exactly

Draft Dodger · 11-14-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Unless we're talking about a country that has a segment that is not attached to the rest of the country (which I suppose is possible), then we're talking about a country that fits in a 600km diamater circle. Small country.

I think we are talking about a country with an odd shape, which is why I was thinking Italy...
it's close, but I can't find a point that quite gets you out of Italy in any direction.

but I do think it's something funkily shaped like that.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Cambodia?

The NE/SW axis looks pretty close to me... but if it fits, it's our winner.

Buccaneer · 11-14-2005, 10:16 PM

Not necessarily, DD, because most of the counties on Quik's list satisfies the question. We need to find the largest one.

digamma · 11-14-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I think we are talking about a country with an odd shape, which is why I was thinking Italy...
it's close, but I can't find a point that quite gets you out of Italy in any direction.

but I do think it's something funkily shaped like that.

I would think an odd shape hurts us because we might be left with one distance that doesn't fit. I think the earlier thought that the rounder we find might be the biggest we find might be correct.

Draft Dodger · 11-14-2005, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Also a very LONG country.

but if Chile is slanted in such a way that 300 km from a point (probably one of th e tips) is in a different country, this could be the answer.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:18 PM

Other candidates, slightly smaller than Cambodia:

Uruguay

Suriname

Draft Dodger · 11-14-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Not necessarily, DD, because most of the counties on Quik's list satisfies the question. We need to find the largest one.

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...

Maple Leafs · 11-14-2005, 10:20 PM

Before I head off for the evening: The answer to #28 is The Ohio Express, with 'Yummy yummy yummy' and 'Chewy chewy'.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

The NE/SW axis looks pretty close to me... but if it fits, it's our winner.

Looking like about 620km NE/SW on my mapper. Grr.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...

I was down this path for a while but even the oddest shapes couldn't work for me. Such as India with the Eastern section that wraps around Bangladesh. 300 km basically crosses Bangladesh back into India.

I do think it is still a possibility to find an odd shaped country that fits though.

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

but if there's a BIGGER country, like Italy or Chile, with an odd shape that fits the question...

I'm hoping that the phrasing below, completely accurate, is clear enough to put this to bed:

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacman

For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria.

VPI97 · 11-14-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Looking like about 620km NE/SW on my mapper. Grr.

I used the more crude method

BrianD · 11-14-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

No, no, no.

The question clearly ends with: "What is the largest country you could have started from?" We clearly get to assign the starting point wherever we want, within the conditions of the puzzle, to yield the largest possible country. I don't think this is ambiguous at all.

I think you may be right....about being able to pick a point, not about it being not ambiguous.

If we do get to pick a point, should we be looking for a country with a disconnected piece, or something like that? Is there a country made up mostly of islands, but with a mainland piece with might satisfy the problem?

Buccaneer · 11-14-2005, 10:24 PM

Belarus is larger.

TazFTW · 11-14-2005, 10:24 PM

What about Argentina? The Ushuaia part (or would that count as an island?).

cthomer5000 · 11-14-2005, 10:24 PM

Camboida is no good.

cthomer5000 · 11-14-2005, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VPI97

I used the more crude method

heh. you'll see basically the same thing in my paint program right now.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:26 PM

Ushuaia is technically part of an island. I think that might disqualify it.

Otherwise, it is a brilliant answer.

Buccaneer · 11-14-2005, 10:26 PM

I just go to worldatlas.com

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:28 PM

If Uruguay and Suriname are both no good... it looks like we slide a ways down the list (to my crude eye).

Maybe to Nicaragua?

Buccaneer · 11-14-2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Ushuaia is technically part of an island. I think that might disqualify it.

Otherwise, it is a brilliant answer.

Except if you head NNW 300 km, you would still be there.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Except if you head NNW 300 km, you would still be there.

There is a point on the SSE corner than you can stick yourself and be able to go 300km in any direction. But since we can't be on an island. No need to argue *too* much about it

Draft Dodger · 11-14-2005, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I'm hoping that the phrasing below, completely accurate, is clear enough to put this to bed:

Rest assured, dacman's phrasing is completely accurate. that is NOT in question with me.

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuikSand

If Uruguay and Suriname are both no good... it looks like we slide a ways down the list (to my crude eye).

Maybe to Nicaragua?

Safe to say, this is the smallest we need to go.

ThunderingHERD · 11-14-2005, 10:34 PM

Does Greenland count with Denmark? And would Denmark even fit?

QuikSand · 11-14-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

Rest assured, dacman's phrasing is completely accurate. that is NOT in question with me.

Then I fail to understand why you're still bringing up "odd shaped" countries that are far larger than the entire circle mentioned. Unless it's a country that happens to have a separated part (like south Argentine above) how could a country like Italy or anything else anywhere near its size possibly fit this description?

cthomer5000 · 11-14-2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRO

Safe to say, this is the smallest we need to go.

Yeah. And it's going to be tought to go much bigger.

JeeberD · 11-14-2005, 10:38 PM

I'm with DD. All you have to do is find one point in an odd shaped country where "every point on the circle itself is outside that country." The point doesn't have to be in the center of the country, does it?

TRO · 11-14-2005, 10:40 PM

I think Suriname trumps Nicaragua...

11-14-2005, 09:58 PM	#203
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Alaska is pretty damn big, vato. __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

11-14-2005, 10:09 PM	#215
TRO College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisburg, KS	Cambodia? __________________ TRA, the Royal Ape

11-14-2005, 10:10 PM	#217
TredWel High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Old Forge, PA	Never mind, nothing to see here. __________________ There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people...religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin. - Linus Van Pelt Last edited by TredWel : 11-14-2005 at 10:12 PM.

11-14-2005, 10:12 PM	#219
dacman College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: speak to the trout	For question 21, you need to find a country where the center of a 300km circle is inside the country, and every point on the circle itself is outside that country. All you need to do is find one point that satisfies the criteria. __________________ No signatures allowed.

11-14-2005, 10:16 PM	#224
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	Not necessarily, DD, because most of the counties on Quik's list satisfies the question. We need to find the largest one. Last edited by Buccaneer : 11-14-2005 at 10:16 PM.

11-14-2005, 10:05 PM	#210
TazFTW Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI	21. Chile? It's a thin country.

11-14-2005, 10:18 PM	#227
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Other candidates, slightly smaller than Cambodia: Uruguay Suriname Last edited by QuikSand : 11-14-2005 at 10:21 PM.

11-14-2005, 10:20 PM	#229
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	Before I head off for the evening: The answer to #28 is The Ohio Express, with 'Yummy yummy yummy' and 'Chewy chewy'. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

11-14-2005, 10:24 PM	#235
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	Belarus is larger.

11-14-2005, 10:24 PM	#236
TazFTW Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Honolulu, HI	What about Argentina? The Ushuaia part (or would that count as an island?). Last edited by TazFTW : 11-14-2005 at 10:26 PM.

11-14-2005, 10:26 PM	#239
TRO College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisburg, KS	Ushuaia is technically part of an island. I think that might disqualify it. Otherwise, it is a brilliant answer. __________________ TRA, the Royal Ape

11-14-2005, 10:26 PM	#240
Buccaneer Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado	I just go to worldatlas.com

11-14-2005, 10:28 PM	#241
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	If Uruguay and Suriname are both no good... it looks like we slide a ways down the list (to my crude eye). Maybe to Nicaragua?

11-14-2005, 10:34 PM	#246
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	Does Greenland count with Denmark? And would Denmark even fit? __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

11-14-2005, 10:38 PM	#249
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	I'm with DD. All you have to do is find one point in an odd shaped country where "every point on the circle itself is outside that country." The point doesn't have to be in the center of the country, does it? __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO Last edited by JeeberD : 11-14-2005 at 10:38 PM.

11-14-2005, 10:40 PM	#250
TRO College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisburg, KS	I think Suriname trumps Nicaragua... __________________ TRA, the Royal Ape

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