mathematical puzzle

Illkillya

since nobody has been sticking up any puzzles here lately, i thought i might put this one up. Its not great because its very mathematical - but I got it right (woohoo!) so i had to post it.

What is the smallest positive number fits the following description:
it starts with the digit 1
when you multiply it by 3, you get the number back again, but with the first digit (1) moved to the end.
e.g. 12 becomes 21 (except that it doesn't fit the description because 12 X 3 is not 21.

Coyote

[This message has been edited by Coyote (edited 26-03-2000).]

Paladin

uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhh
1?

Paladin

uuuuuuuuuuuuh
2?

Paladin

Aw hell Im going playing counterstrike

Illkillya

no, seriously, you could get this one Paladin. It takes a while.. maybe 30mins with a pen and paper...

Illkillya

this can actually take 1 minute if you're any good - longer if you're not good. There is no trick! come on people?!? Paladin, paw, wyverne!! anybody else.. it is straightforward.

paw

142857 ?

paw

DeVore

Well that works but is it the smallest. It seems kinda big.

Illkillya, what did you mean by "there is a trick to it".

Is this the correct answer (before I engage brain)...

DeV.

Illkillya

just to conclude, yes this is the correct answer. well done paw.
btw, i said there is no trick

Paladin

And less of a puzzle and more of a waste of time? It was just repeated calculation with the info in ended with 7 (to make the 1 at the end when multiplied by 3) and started with 14 (to make the 1 disappear and have 4 as the 1st digit).
I want puzzles like the fox, the rabbit and the lettuce type ones. Pleeeeeeeeeeeease no more maths or stupid fuuukin riddles.

Illkillya

if you look at it like that, all puzzles are a waste of time. Especially ones with foxes and lettuces.

Paladin

Hmmm. Misinterpreted.

What I mean is mindless repetitive calculation that requires no thought is a waste of time. With foxes/rabbit ones there is some lateral thinking, some innovation, and some puzzle solving.
If maths problems were classified as what are generally accepted as "puzzles" then it would be pretty boring wouldnt it?
2+7 would be a puzzle.
I say keep away maths problems and bring on real puzzles.

H-K

yup 142857 is the rite answer
damn slow off the mark there.