Lateral Thinking Puzzles - third time is best!

Thread Games
3121

Is the desired specific number required because he has to do some arithmetic function with that number of tomatoes.

Example: he has to split his tomatoes equally amongst 10 people and 93 isn’t divisible by 10 evenly.

3122

From Mr. Deming’s point of view, is there an obvious reason why he doesn’t have enough tomatoes? Yes

Did he previously have more tomatoes, and having 93 now means he’s lost some (due to theft, being disorganized or careless, or whatever)? No

Are the tomatoes for himself, or to give/feed to other people? For himself AND another person

Is Mr. Deming responsible for completing a menu or food for a fixed group of people? No

Is that specific number of tomatoes:

over 100? yes

over 1000? No

divisible by some specific number? Not relevant

And while we’re at it: is he intending to re-sell the tomatoes to somebody else? no

Is the desired specific number required because he has to do some arithmetic function with that number of tomatoes. no

Example: he has to split his tomatoes equally amongst 10 people and 93 isn’t divisible by 10 evenly. no

3123

I think you missed mine

3124

Does he need to have some exact number of tomatoes in order to do whatever he wants to do with them? IOW, could he make do if he were only one or two short?

Repeating: Are these tomatoes going to be used as food for humans?

Clarifying: the tomatoes are intended for use by Mr. Deming and exactly one other person?

Are they expected to be eaten at one sitting, or over a longer period of time? (as if, for example, he was going to make a year’s supply of ketchup)

Is the problem that he bought the tomatoes by weight, but they were bigger than he expected, so he got fewer tomatoes?

Was he in any way deceived or ripped off by the person who sold him the tomatoes?

Was he unable to buy the required number of tomatoes, because the tomato seller only had the 93? Or because he didn’t have enough money to buy more?

Is he worried because he thinks someone else now has more tomatoes than him?

Is he worried about his physical safety? His financial security? Disappointing a loved one?

3125

Is the number 93 itself important to the puzzle?

Is his worry in any way related to Killer Tomatoes? ( They’ll beat you, bash you , Squish you, mash you, Chew you up for brunch.)

3126

“Sacramento fell today, they’re marching on toward San Jose, TOMAAATOOES will have their day!”

3127

Are the tomatoes poisoned/poisonous? No

Does he need to have some exact number of tomatoes in order to do whatever he wants to do with them? IOW, could he make do if he were only one or two short? The exact number was assumed by him.

Are these tomatoes going to be used as food for humans? Yes

Clarifying: the tomatoes are intended for use by Mr. Deming and exactly one other person? Yes

Are they expected to be eaten at one sitting, or over a longer period of time? (as if, for example, he was going to make a year’s supply of ketchup) Usage unknown

Is the problem that he bought the tomatoes by weight, but they were bigger than he expected, so he got fewer tomatoes? No, but you’re getting warmer

Was he in any way deceived or ripped off by the person who sold him the tomatoes? No

Was he unable to buy the required number of tomatoes, because the tomato seller only had the 93? Yes

Or because he didn’t have enough money to buy more? No

Is he worried because he thinks someone else now has more tomatoes than him? No

Is he worried about his physical safety? No. His financial security? No. Disappointing a loved one? YES!

Is the number 93 itself important to the puzzle? Not really

Is his worry in any way related to Killer Tomatoes? ( They’ll beat you, bash you , Squish you, mash you, Chew you up for brunch.) LOL! Nope.

3128

Is the loved one he is concerned about the same party who he intends to share the tomatoes with?

Is the exact method he plans to use to prepare the tomatoes relevant?

Will the tomatoes be prepared in the same way for both Mr. Deming and the other party?

3129

Are these cherry tomatoes or smaller?

3130

Are they trying to set some kind of tomato eating record?

3131

Is the exact number he needs relevant to solving the puzzle?

Is it a pun or wordplay?

3132

Is the loved one he is concerned about the same party who he intends to share the tomatoes with? Yes (he assumes so)

Is the exact method he plans to use to prepare the tomatoes relevant? nope

Will the tomatoes be prepared in the same way for both Mr. Deming and the other party? Not relevant

Are these cherry tomatoes or smaller? He assumes regular size

Are they trying to set some kind of tomato eating record? No

Is the exact number he needs relevant to solving the puzzle? yes

Is it a pun or wordplay? Kind of… you’re quite warm here!

3133

Is there wordplay (or something similar to it) on the word “tomato” itself?
Are differing pronunciations of the word “tomato” relevant (like in the song)?

3134

OK, that’s solvable; though it may take a while.

Over 100 and under 500?

3135

Is the exact desired number part of the wordplay/pun?

If we knew the exact number would it be obvious about the solution?

Is the wordplay associated with tomatoes being called “love apples?”

3136

Does the wordplay relate to a song?

3137

Is it to do with “tomatoes” sounding a bit like “two eight oh”? Like the mnemonic for how many feet are in a mile (“five tomatoes”=5280)

3138

Does the wordplay have to do with ketchup = catch up?
is the exact number of tomatoes 101?
102?
103?
…
999?

3139

Would having the right number of tomatoes actually help Mr. D in the way he imagines? Or does he misunderstand something?

3140

Over 100 and under 500.

[quote=“Sigene, post:3135, topic:987214, full:true”]
Is the exact desired number part of the wordplay/pun? yes

If we knew the exact number would it be obvious about the solution? yes

Is the wordplay associated with tomatoes being called “love apples?” no