Not sure what you mean (getting late)

when i ask the question "how many members are in the society?", the member will give the answer "10 + secret number". yes?

Ah, I think I see, I'll clarify

Let's say the number of members is m (i.e. 10) and the secret number is s

The first is asked so he whispers to the next member "say m+s" (= m' say) who whispers to the next "say m'+s", ... etc until the last member (No. 10) says 26.

Is that what you wanted to know?

yep. and presumably number 10 heard '26 - s' so said 26 when he added s on?

The last member did indeed add on the secret number before speaking

so somewhere there aren't 10 people in the loop lol...

Just to reiterate for those that may have missed it (was a few pages back) ... every member participated in the above scenario and there were no repeats.

but if by that logic it is 10 then my original maths holds, which apparently it didnt so something is missing....

I think the 'something is missing' is that word I mentioned

Seeing as I'm calling it a night in a very short while, would you like me to highlight the important word so that we can put this one to bed or just continue tomorrow?

Is it 1.

As the secret number is a number.



Therefore whenever mentioning the use of the secret number they need to add it again.

Making M + 2s etc:

i never thought this would take off... but i now see the intellegence in you lot

Sorry Moons, but that isn't right

10 is the number of members
16 is the amount they have added

so 16 divided by 10 is 1.6
so 1.6 is the magic number


But it's too simple so I'm guessing it's wrong already

You guessed right Grae .... you are indeed wrong

LOL


I think this is going to be one of those riddles that we are all eventually going to say oh yeah, well durrrr

I'm sure your right, I am really surprised that this has gone on for so long, especially considering that a vital key to the solution was spotted so early on.

I think we also need to realise that it's a riddle so using pure maths won't actually work it seems

Wise words Damien

The secret number is 16? As a society member has already added the secret number onto 10 so there is no need to do it again?