这道简单的数学题你会做吗？

 　　A "simple" brainteaser for children has sparked an online debate, with many adults arguing about what the correct answer is.

　　一个看似简单的儿童谜语近日在网上引发热论，很多成年人为正确答案到底是什么争论不休。

　　The apples, bananas and coconuts² conundrum³ is being widely shared online, leaving some puzzle solvers perplexed⁴.

　　这道“苹果香蕉椰子谜题”在网上疯传，很多参与者为它“烧脑”。

　　Problem solvers must work out which number each fruit piece symbolizes⁵ in order to crack the brainteaser.

　　为了获得最终结果，解题者必须找出这三种水果各自代表的数字。

　　Internet users have been arguing that the answer to the final equation is anything from 14, 15, 16 to 20.

　　网友们都认为，最后那个等式的结果肯定是从14、15、16和20中选。

　　这道简单的数学题你会做吗？

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　　The Problem Site explains:

　　“解题网”给出的解释如下：

　　3 apples = 30, so 1 apple = 10.

　　3个苹果= 30，所以1个苹果= 10。

　　10 + 2 bananas = 18, so 2 bananas = 8 and 1 banana = 410 + 2串香蕉= 18，所以2串香蕉= 8，所以1串香蕉= 4。

　　4 - 1 coconut¹ = 2, so 1 coconut = 2

　　4 - 1个椰子= 2，所以1个椰子= 2。

　　Therefore, 1 coconut + 1 apple + 1 banana = 2 + 10 + 4 = 16因此，1个椰子+1个苹果+1串香蕉= 2 + 10 + 4 = 16。

　　However, if you look a little closer at the problem you will see that 16 is not the right answer.

　　不过，如果你再认真看一下原题就会发现，16并不是正确答案。

　　“Although this is the answer everyone seems to be giving, it's actually not correct. Notice that each bunch of bananas has four bananas (look closely!) except the one in the final line, which has 3 bananas. Also notice that the third line has one coconut, while the last line has only 1/2 of a coconut,” The Problem Site adds. “This changes things!”

　　“解题网”称：“虽然大家给出的似乎都是这个答案，但其实它并不对。你应该注意到，前面的每串香蕉上都有四只香蕉（看仔细哦！），但最后一个等式上的那串却只有三只香蕉。而且，第三个等式上有一个椰子，而最后一个等式上只有半个椰子。所以结果就不同了！”

　　3 apples = 30, so 1 apple = 10.

　　3个苹果= 30，所以1个苹果= 10。

　　10 + 8 bananas = 18, so 8 bananas = 8 and 1 banana = 110 + 8只香蕉= 18，所以8只香蕉= 8，1只香蕉= 1。

　　4 - 1 coconut = 2, so 1 coconut = 2

　　4 - 1只椰子为2，所以1只椰子= 2。

　　Therefore, 1/2 coconut + 1 apple + 3 bananas = 1 + 10 + 3 = 14所以，半个椰子+1个苹果+ 3只香蕉= 1 + 10 + 3 = 14。

　　So there you have it, 14 is the right answer.

　　最终答案也出来了，应该为14。

　　Or is it? Dr Kevin Bowman, course leader for Mathematics at the University of Central Lancashire, told Mail Online that due to the ambiguity⁶ of the riddle⁷, “there are an infinite amount of possible answers”.

　　不过，你真的确定了吗？中央兰开夏大学数学系的教学组长凯文·鲍曼博士告诉《每日邮报》，对这条谜语可以有多种解读，“所以其实它的答案是开放的。”

 

1 coconut   

n.椰子

参考例句：

• The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
• The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。

2 coconuts   

n.椰子( coconut的名词复数 )；椰肉，椰果

参考例句：

• We found a bountiful supply of coconuts on the island. 我们发现岛上有充足的椰子供应。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Coconuts provide "meat", drink, oil, soap and fiber for fishing line. 椰子提供“肉类”，饮料、油脂、肥皂和做钓（鱼）丝的纤维。 来自百科语句

3 conundrum   

n.谜语；难题

参考例句：

• Let me give you some history about a conundrum.让我给你们一些关于谜题的历史。
• Scientists had focused on two explanations to solve this conundrum.科学家已锁定两种解释来解开这个难题。

4 perplexed   

adj.不知所措的

参考例句：

• The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛，走了又回来，犹豫不决，总怕上当受骗。
• The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。

5 symbolizes   

v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
• She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 ambiguity   

n.模棱两可；意义不明确

参考例句：

• The telegram was misunderstood because of its ambiguity.由于电文意义不明确而造成了误解。
• Her answer was above all ambiguity.她的回答毫不含糊。

7 riddle   

n.谜，谜语，粗筛；vt.解谜，给…出谜，筛，检查，鉴定，非难，充满于；vi.出谜

参考例句：

• The riddle couldn't be solved by the child.这个谜语孩子猜不出来。
• Her disappearance is a complete riddle.她的失踪完全是一个谜。