# Confusing puzzle from Will Shortz

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 27, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505 "2009-04-27T15:03:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505/21 "2009-05-04T13:52:46Z")

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> [@twickster](#):
>
> I’d say “55” – the letters in the others are all adjacent, and “vv” isn’t a legitimate roman numeral, and LV is.

We have a winner.

Very few people answered it correctly.

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505/22 "2009-06-03T23:25:55Z")

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> [@tdn](#):
>
> We have a winner.
> 
> Very few people answered it correctly.

I know it has been a month, but can you guys please explain the answer to me? I have read the thread and tried to understand, but what is the answer and how does one get it?

😕

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**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505/23 "2009-06-03T23:32:15Z")

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> [@Mahaloth](#):
>
> I know it has been a month, but can you guys please explain the answer to me? I have read the thread and tried to understand, but what is the answer and how does one get it?
> 
> 😕

Each of the spelled out numbers contains letters that are part of the set of Roman Numerals (I, V, X, L, C, D, M). All the given roman numeral letters are next to each other, and all other letters in the words are not in that set. So we have:

F **iv** e equals four (IV).  
Se **v** en equals five (V).  
E **i** ght equals one (I).  
Twenty-s **ix** equals nine (IX).

What does twe **lv** e equal? 55 (LV)

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**Author:** ![Rain\_Soaked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rain\_Soaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rain_Soaked)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505/24 "2009-06-03T23:34:37Z")

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f **IV** e equals 4.  
se **V** en equals 5.  
e **I** ght equals 1.  
twenty-s **IX** equals 9.

What does twe **LV** e equal?

Look for the Roman numerals in each word. LV = 55

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**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confusing-puzzle-from-will-shortz/494505/25 "2009-06-03T23:45:44Z")

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Thanks! I knew I would not enjoy the solution, but I feel better knowing it.

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