Connect the four dots in the box

[VH]

When I was introduced to this exercise it was 9 dots and 3 lines without lifting the pencil.
View attachment 1452
It took me a glance and about 5 seconds to realize the paradigm didn't include a solution, so I went outside it.

Spoiler

View attachment 1453

 

[Rudy]

When I was introduced to this exercise it was 9 dots and 3 lines without lifting the pencil.

It took me a glance and about 5 seconds to realize the paradigm didn't include a solution, so I went outside it.

Yes, the problem is solvable as long as the dots are, in fact, 2-dimensional circles, and not meant to represent 1-dimensional points. If they are points, then the lines through, say, the top three and the middle three can never intersect, because they are parallel.

If the dots have non-zero area, though, we will be able to find straight lines through them that intersect, the general idea of which is illustrated by your second picture.

 

[Wyote]

The nine dots is still solvable in four lines, if they represent points. Same principle as the first problem here.

 

[flux]

Doesnt speceify that you cant use curved lines. As such I can do it that way.

This is actually immediately what I thought, and as such, it took me more than 2-10 seconds to complete this. It's still only one line, n'est-ce pas?

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9391/boxfzr.jpg

("I reject your reality and substitute my own!")

 

[Rudy]

This is actually immediately what I thought, and as such, it took me more than 2-10 seconds to complete this. It's still only one line, n'est-ce pas?

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9391/boxfzr.jpg

("I reject your reality and substitute my own!")

Hmm... it's because, in terms of mathematics, "line" means "straight line." Anything else is a "curve".

Still, in general English, you're correct.

 

[flux]

Hmm... it's because, in terms of mathematics, "line" means "straight line." Anything else is a "curve".

Still, in general English, you're correct.

LOL, I shrunk Von Hase's diagram by a factor of 10, never mind.

 

[Azure_Knight]

Hahahhah
That didn't possibly make a difference did it ? ;o

Well if you print it out you can fold the paper into a cylinder with the dots facing out. You can then connect all of the dots using one line and without violating any of the criteria set forth. If It has to be two lines, then you can just put another line on the paper somewhere (without violating the rules).

 

[VH]

Well if you print it out you can fold the paper into a cylinder with the dots facing out. You can then connect all of the dots using one line and without violating any of the criteria set forth. If It has to be two lines, then you can just put another line on the paper somewhere (without violating the rules).

...or just fold it twice...

 

[Pristinegirl]

("I reject your reality and substitute my own!")

hahah

 

[flux]

When I was introduced to this exercise it was 9 dots and 3 lines without lifting the pencil.
View attachment 1452
It took me a glance and about 5 seconds to realize the paradigm didn't include a solution, so I went outside it.

When I first saw this puzzle, I believe the answer was this (in 4 lines):

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8747/9dots.jpg

 

[Satya]

All this geometry is way over my head.

 

[flux]

Satya, is the smiley in your signature . . . beatboxing?

 

[Rudy]

When I first saw this puzzle, I believe the answer was this (in 4 lines):

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8747/9dots.jpg

Yes, that is the solution Wyote was referring to when he said it was solvable in 4 lines if they are points.

If they're two dimensional dots, though, it can be done as shown by Van Hase with 3 lines.

 

[Satya]

Satya, is the smiley in your signature . . . beatboxing?

Lol. I think he is just yelling.

 

[slant]

I failed because I didn't understand the instructions.

 

[Naxx]

Using the two lines and the outlined box I have joined both lines and dots.

2nd is the same except the method used two thicker lines to encompass the 2 dots.

 

[Pristinegirl]

Using the two lines and the outlined box I have joined both lines and dots.

2nd is the same except the method used two thicker lines to encompass the 2 dots.

only that the two lines should be connected

 

[Naxx]

only that the two lines should be connected

When the lines joined the lines of your box everything was connected through the new line.

 

[Pristinegirl]

When the lines joined the lines of your box everything was connected through the new line.

Yea but for your first example, the instruction said they should be connected by the two lines. And your lines are parallell, thus not connected anywhere.

For the second example; Two thick lines fusing is a rectangle lol, not linear.

 

[Wyote]

I thought it was creative, it also made me think of a three dimensional version that works as well.