What's the Magic Number?

[LondonLady]

Hello, everyone! The Queen of Games here! This is a game I've had rolling around in my brain for a few months, so I thought, hey, why not share it today, my magic number day, my birthday?

The idea is simple: you need to solve a simple mathematics sum, with no more than four components, in order to arrive at the 'Magic Number.' I hope you XFUer's like maths! It's really good brain exercise, anyway.

Rules:
- The Host posts between 2 and 4 "trivia" questions or components for players to answer. But there's a twist: instead of answering that Scully's hair color = "red," players COUNT the number of letters in the answer, so red = 3. The trivia question answers can also be actual numbers, like an apartment number or birth date.
- In laying out the question, the Host instructs players to add, subtract, multiply or divide each answer, in order, to reach one final "magic" number.
- ONLY Simple Math is required; nothing here should resemble something on an admissions test. Calculators are OK, but the calculations shouldn't be so difficult that you need one.



Here's an example: (The day of the month of Scully's birthday) minus (The day of the month of Mulder's birthday) plus (The number of letter's in AD Skinner's first name) =

23 - 13 + 6 = 16. So the Magic Number is 16!

Another example: (Mulder's apartment number) plus (The number of the month that Samantha was abducted) minus (The number of letters in Scully's daughter's name) plus (The number of series/seasons of "The X Files") =

42 + 11 - 5 + 9 = 57 The Magic Number is 57.

See? It's not so hard! Now, the components can get more complicated as we get used to the game. For example: (The number of episodes that Kim Manners directed) plus (The number of Emmy nominations "The X Files" received in 1997), etc... but the components should not be so difficult that nobody knows the answer! Also, feel free to use a calculator if necessary!

Whoever correctly calculates the Magic Number first, wins that round. S/he can then either take a turn or pass his/her turn.

Okay; I'll go first to get started. What's the Magic Number?
(The number of letters in Scully's mother's full first name) plus (The number of letters in the title of the Season 4 finale) minus (The number of wishes horrible Jen gave people in "Je Souhaite")

Happy calculating!

[Gillyinfatuation]

This should be fun, I love math
17+10-3=24

[LondonLady]

I love maths as well! However, your answer is incorrect. Re-read the first component, then calculate the Magic Number again.

[Gillyinfatuation]

I only read Scully full. LOL
I think her first name is Margaret thats 8 letters
8+10-3=15

[Agent Skulder]

No mid evening math...

Just a really warm and sincere wish that you are having a HAPPY BIRTHDAY London Lady! What a nice way to celebrate by launching a new game! Don't forget - for every few shovels full of snow you must consume an equal amount of cake  (or your favorite treat) complete with chocolates as a "side dish!"

[LondonLady]

LOL, Agent Skulder! I like that diet and exercise regime! Thank you for the happy birthday wishes.

@ Gilly: Now you have the Magic Number! Your turn next!

[Gillyinfatuation]

I would like to pass my turn to agent Skulder or the birthday girl. Whom ever sees it first can go.

[LondonLady]

Agent Skulder said, "No mid-evening maths," so I'll go again. Thank you, dear Gilly!

What's the Magic Number?
(The number of years that Lucy Householder was held hostage by Carl Wade) plus (Mulder's age when Samantha was abducted) plus (The number of stars in the name of Vernon Ephesian's temple) minus (The number of letters in Skinner's middle name) =

[LondonLady]

Anybody want to try? It really isn't that difficult!

[Agent Skulder]

Anybody want to try? It really isn't that difficult!

OK Birthday Girl - I don't think you realize the extent of your Knowledge Vault.... Let me see what I can do.... But first I shall create a Trivia puzzle for you (all)..... . I mean this in the best way possible. I do. Honest!

[LondonLady]

LOL, Agent Skulder, and thank you! However, I did have to double-check how long poor Lucy Householder was kept hostage.

Hmmm. Are these components too difficult for everyone? Is that why nobody is playing?

[Agent Skulder]

Ready Freddy???? Full disclosure - I needed a Web Assist...
What makes me most nervous? Coming up with a new puzzle....

5 - (The number of years that Lucy Householder was held hostage by Carl Wade)
12 - plus (Mulder's age when Samantha was abducted)
7 - plus (The number of stars in the name of Vernon Ephesian's temple)
6 (Sergei) minus (The number of letters in Skinner's middle name) = ** 18 **

[LondonLady]

Well done, Agent Skulder!

You know, you don't have to use four components; you can keep it simple, and just use two. For example:

(The day of the month of Scully's birthday) plus (The day of the month of Mulder's birthday).

In fact, with fewer components, maybe more people will play.

[LondonLady]

Okay, since Agent Skulder isn't around right now, I hope she won't mind too much if I post a few simple practice puzzles, to hopefully encourage more people to play this game. Agent Skulder can take her turn when she next comes on. So, these are just practice puzzles; no points or prizes!
I hope nobody minds!

1. What's the Magic Number?
(The total number of letters in the name of the episode featuring John Lee Roche) minus (The number of letters in Agent Mulder's middle name) =

2. What's the Magic Number?
(The number of letters in the surname (last name) of the infamous villain in "Irresistible") plus (The 6th series (season) episode featuring a bank robbery) =

3. What's the Magic Number?
(The number of letters in the first name of the kidnapper in "Oubliette") plus (The number of letter's in CSM's surname) =

There! That should keep you all busy, and out of trouble, this morning!

[CSM_Clone]

My math sucks you know but I'll take my chance
For practice puzzle#1, is it 4?

[LondonLady]

Yes, it is! Well done! Want to try Practice Puzzle No. 2?

[Agent Skulder]

Can I just say... This game is extraordinarily creative!  Sure there's math but unless we're talking algebra or square roots in the future  it's more like a scavenger hunt...

Instead of one trivia at a time - and these clues don't seem to need to be as complex as some of the trivia - it's finding (or remembering) date and name etc specifics, THEN attaching the numeric and using the brain, fingers or calculator....  Wow! Great combo!  Just a bit... Overwhelming at first!

I will work on a puzzle for, say, later tonight or when there's a lull....  

But I agree, maybe starting with just 2-3 components (like the anagrams stick to 2, maybe 3 words if there's an article or preposition) is the way to go.  The first sample had me laughing & SWEATING ... So less may be more, to ENTICE OTHERS to PLAY WITH US!! and also play all the other fabulous games (mental challenges) here ...

Again, London Lady - THANK YOU! for introducing us to this!

[LondonLady]

Oh, Agent Skulder, thank you for your kind compliments!
Yes, I did try to make the game like a 'Trivia Treasure Hunt,' with the added twist of mathematics. As you said, the trivia components are not difficult: for example, who here on XFU doesn't know Mulder's middle name?! However, I think I scared people away by having four components! LOL! Maybe we should just stick to two components until people get used to the game. Also, I think activity in the Games Forum has been significantly lower since before Christmas. For example, whatever happened to Hanna? Also, scully_hair, Salome, and other XFUer's, are not here as often as before. Ah well.

Nevertheless, who wants to answer Practice Puzzles 2. and 3.? They're not difficult, I promise!

2. What's the Magic Number?
(The number of letters in the surname (last name) of the infamous villain in "Irresistible") plus (The 6th series (season) episode featuring a bank robbery) =

3. What's the Magic Number?
(The number of letters in the first name of the kidnapper in "Oubliette") plus (The number of letter's in CSM's surname) =

[Gillyinfatuation]

2.7+6=13

[LondonLady]

You are correct, Gilly!

Now, do you want to try no. 3?

[Gillyinfatuation]

Well, the kidnappers first name is Carl and CSMs last name is Spender

4+6=10

[LondonLady]

LOL, Gilly! How about you count the number of letters in the name, Spender, again?

[Gillyinfatuation]

yeah yeah I was in a hurry its 4+7=11

[LondonLady]

Now you have it! Do you want to try taking a turn? It really isn't that hard! However, you may pass your turn, if you'd like.

[Gillyinfatuation]

I'll give it go.
Add mulders apartment number to the number of letters in Scullys dogs name then minus how many aired kisses Mulder and Scully shared not including IWTB.

[LondonLady]

Good one, Gilly! I think the Magic Number is 46:

42 + 8 - 4 = 46

When you say kisses, I assume that you mean kisses on the mouth, so I didn't include the forehead kiss in "Memento Mori." I included "Triangle;" "Millennium;" "Existence:" and "The Truth," Part 2.

[Gillyinfatuation]

Actually the kiss in Triangle I wasn't counting because it really wasn't Scully. U can go ahead and go though.

[LondonLady]

Mulder thought the woman was Scully, though, because when he saw her again in the present time, he told her that she'd saved the world.

Okay, next: What's the Magic Number?
(The number of times Mulder had seen "Plan 9 from Outer Space") plus (The first word of the episode in which Scully's father dies) minus (John Roche's middle name, from "Paper Hearts") =

[LondonLady]

Is this one too hard??

[Gillyinfatuation]

I just can't remember how many times he watched that movie

[LondonLady]

LOL, Gilly! I was wondering whether that was the stumbling block for people. Okay, i'll give you that answer. I believe he said that he'd watched it 42 times. Now you can solve the rest of the puzzle.

[Gillyinfatuation]

I thought it was 42 times.
ok so thats 42+6-3=45
42x seen the movie. Scullys father died in Beyond the sea, and Roche's middle name is Lee.

[LondonLady]

Well done, Gilly! Your turn next!

[Gillyinfatuation]

Take the total amount of epi and subtract how many epis Kim Manners directed and subtract the number of letters that is in Mulder and Scullys sons name.

[LondonLady]

I think this one might be too difficult, Gilly, unless we're allowed to research how many episodes Kim Manners directed. I certainly don't know how many without checking.

[Gillyinfatuation]

he directed 53 epis

[LondonLady]

Okay, thanks.

In that case: 202 - 53 - 7 = 142

The Magic Number is 142.

[Gillyinfatuation]

Woot Woot Thats it

[LondonLady]

Hurray!

Okay next: What's the Magic Number?
(Scully's younger brother's name) plus (Season 2 Finale) plus ("_____ Words," episode title) =

Come on, everyone! This one is not difficult!

[CSM_Clone]

17?