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In the pattern : 1) EEE  2) EGG  3) G  4) EG ...what would follow in terms of the...

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marci1222 | Student, Undergraduate | eNoter

Posted April 8, 2013 at 7:24 PM via iOS

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In the pattern : 1) EEE  2) EGG  3) G  4) EG ...what would follow in terms of the "best possible" solution when using logic?


Which is the next?why? 1; EEE 2; EGG 3; G 4; EG 5;? Which Number the next?? (The greatest good solution) 1) 5 2) 10 3) 8 4) 2 5) 9 6) 15 7) ?

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durbanville | High School Teacher | (Level 1) Educator Emeritus

Posted May 28, 2013 at 2:14 PM (Answer #1)

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From a purely specuative position and imposing a restriction that `E=1` and `G=2` , the pattern would or could be followed by 5; therefore option 1.

If E = 1 and G=2 then

` E E E;E G G;G;E G;...` becomes 

      3;       5;        2;   3   and the pattern presumably started again with 3....

Logic is all about creating a situation that works best under given conditions - what makes the most sense?.  In order to obtain a number as the next answer in this pattern, it therefore makes logical sense to apportion values to the letters E and G. Otherwise this pattern actually makes NO logical sense on its first appearance.

No context has been introduced regarding values for these letters and in the interests of simplification, the numbers 1 and 2 fit the pattern. The fact that the letter F falls between E and G could, from a logical perspective, stall the progression but elimination of this as a factor simplifies the position again. The assumption that these letters follow the alphabet need not be assumed.

Therefore, without over analysing or pouring over possible results for hours, finding a pattern that fits best appears to be the best possible way to solve this. Inventors often draw their own logical conclusions to suit the context of their experiment. They then go on to test the theory.   


Option 1) 5 is the "best" answer based on very limited data available and in a limited context.  

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