This is less a math problem than a writing ambiguity problem.

May 14, 2020
2:02:25pm

ReyOso Intervention Needed

If the answer is 16, you could easily say "an additional 3 cats." If the answer is 4, you could chose something better than "in front of," which isn't a great way to describe the spatial relationship of the four cats.

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ReyOso

New username: ReiUrso
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Messages

Author

Time

In a square room there is a cat in every corner. In front of every cat there are 3 cats. How many cats are there in all?

cheezedawg medium

5/14/20 1:48pm

This is from Facebook, and I quibble with the wording a bit...

cheezedawg

5/14/20 1:49pm

Yes... Two interpretations for the wording

Borg

5/14/20 2:40pm

jreid191

5/14/20 1:50pm

LaserCoug

5/14/20 1:52pm

I would say 4, but I could see an argument for 6 if the cats in the adjacent

cougarfan84

5/14/20 1:52pm

How would 6 work? EVERY cat needs 3 cats in front of them. Right?

rggee

5/14/20 1:53pm

I'm guessing referring to 2 in center plus the other in opposite corner.

fldnstrm

5/14/20 1:57pm

But then the 2 in the center wouldn't have 3 cats in front of them.

rggee

5/14/20 1:58pm

Good point. I hadn't thought about that. I guess the answer is 4, though I'm

cougarfan84

5/14/20 1:58pm

Which direction are the cats facing, and how broadly do we define "in front"?

joelvandyne

5/14/20 1:52pm

cats would never stay in a corner. your premise is false.

Cougarclaw

5/14/20 1:53pm

RE: In a square room there is a cat in every corner. In front of every cat there

Cougar TD

5/14/20 1:54pm

scottpete

5/14/20 1:55pm

brazilcoug

5/14/20 1:56pm

Has to be 4. Only explanation that makes sense.

JohnnyComeLately

5/14/20 1:57pm

Waaaaay too many, that's for sure.

dilbert

5/14/20 1:59pm

Also, the answer is....

Cougar TD

5/14/20 2:00pm

This is less a math problem than a writing ambiguity problem.

ReyOso

5/14/20 2:02pm

Too many. Leave the room, shut the door, and hit the gas switch.

byubyu

5/14/20 2:02pm

I beat you on the "too many" response, but I concede the point to you anyway because you added the gas switch part.

dilbert

5/14/20 2:07pm

I was going to go with 32, but all these answers made me question myself.

Breaded Hamster

5/14/20 2:03pm

A square only has 4 corners. A cube has 8.

cheezedawg

5/14/20 3:14pm

I personally prefer cubic rooms.

Bert609

5/14/20 3:18pm

So you are saying you are not a decedent of Karl Maeser?

Cru Jones

5/14/20 3:33pm

If I was taken prisoner and was told to stay inside a square of chalk

Bert609

5/14/20 4:20pm

infinite.

CDV

5/14/20 2:05pm

^Winner^

Wingnut

5/14/20 2:06pm

I was just about to put an infinite number of cats. Darn.

Cougarrr

5/14/20 2:07pm

Yeah. Me too 😉

Wingnut

5/14/20 2:08pm

Here's 12 if we assume they have pretty narrow vision cones. With a sufficiently

joelvandyne

5/14/20 2:10pm

Are these African cats or European?

DeekLyfter

5/14/20 2:17pm

RE: Are these African cats or European?

JohnnyComeLately

5/14/20 2:30pm

Too many

crack

5/14/20 2:27pm

Sideways 8.

Adwight

5/14/20 2:28pm

Does the ceiling count as corners?

SanDiegoCoug

5/14/20 2:39pm

IDK but I’m likely helping that lady move out and will need a mask to survive

Coach's Dad

5/14/20 2:42pm

Cobra Cougar

5/14/20 2:43pm

Which way are the cats facing?

jholling

5/14/20 2:43pm

I say 16

D.T. Survivor

5/14/20 2:46pm

Depends on the size of the room.

Sooner Cougar

5/14/20 4:12pm

and the amount of space each cat takes up

StantonMac

5/14/20 4:41pm

Is an answer provided?

cube3_cougar

5/15/20 9:13am

Yes

Wingnut

5/15/20 9:19am

Yeah it’s 4

cheezedawg

5/15/20 9:37am

RE: Yeah it’s 4

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