Unutterably Silly Quiz

[Bilbo1967]

DIV = 504?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Hamlet53

If one starts at 12 [XII] and goes down to 1 [I], while using IIII for 4 the count is X's four, V's four & I's twenty. So maybe there was some reason for wanting these all to be even numbers? If the standard IV was used for 4 the count would be five V's and seventeen I's. Trouble with this guess is I really can't think of a reason that it would matter.

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Would IV on a clock face be too easily confused with VI, especially if written at an angle?

Both good ideas, but not the one that is usually quoted.

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

DIV = 504?

Yes, DIV as an abbreviation of Division or Dividend or Divide will do.

[pdurrant]

[recap]

Four limited questions, and then an open ended one.

• 5 points: V is the Roman numeral for 5. In what other way is it associated with the number 5?
  The Morse code for V is ...- the same rhythm as the opening four notes (and repeated theme) in Beethoven's fifth symphony. A link made frequently in wartime BBC broadcasts to the continent, using the opening notes to stand for V for victory.
  orlok
• 4 points: Why does a clock face with roman numerals use IIII for 4 instead of the normal IV?
  To optically balance the VIII on the opposite side of the dial. Billi.
• 3 points: What was the most recent year with a palindromic date in roman numerals?
  MM (2000 CE) Kumabjorn
• 2 points: What will be the next year with a palindromic date in roman numerals?
  MMM (3000 CE) orlok
• 1 point each: Give dates in roman numerals that are English words (with a relaxed interpretation of words).
  MIX - 1009 - issybird
  XXX - 30 - Kumabjorn
  I - 1 - orlok
  XI - 11 - issybird
  MI - 1001 - issybird
  DIV - 504 - Bilbo1967

8 points: orlok
4 points: Kumabjorn
4 points: Billi
3 points: issybird
1 point: Bilbo1967


Hint for 1: Codes, WWII and music.

[issybird]

1. Beethoven's Fifth & V for Victory?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by issybird

1. Beethoven's Fifth & V for Victory?

Beethoven's Fifth and V for Victory, yes, but you need to give me one last link before I can give you the points. The link between V for Victory and Beethoven's Fifth is NOT that V is 5 in Roman numerals.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Why does a clock face with roman numerals use IIII for 4 instead of the normal IV?

For optical reasons, that it "looks better", more symmetrical?

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Billi

For optical reasons, that it "looks better", more symmetrical?

Exactly so. On the other side of the face you have VIII, which balances better with IIII rather than IV.

Four points to Billi!

[pdurrant]

Whoever comes up with the answer I want for the first question will win!

[Bilbo1967]

I know the answer now, because I just looked it up (as I knew I didn't know it otherwise). Very interesting.

Thanks, Paul, always good to learn something!

[Glorfindel]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I know the answer now, because I just looked it up (as I knew I didn't know it otherwise). Very interesting.
Thanks, Paul, always good to learn something!

heeeeyy... bilbo... want some karma?

[pdurrant]

I can only suggest that people consider the clue I gave for the first question more carefully. Two parts of my clue were used in issybird's post, but not the vital bit of info I wanted represented by the third part of my clue.

I must admit that even though I assigned this one five points, I thought the answer was quite well known!

[orlok]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I can only suggest that people consider the clue I gave for the first question more carefully. Two parts of my clue were used in issybird's post, but not the vital bit of info I wanted represented by the third part of my clue.

I must admit that even though I assigned this one five points, I thought the answer was quite well known!

Well I thought that issybird had already answered this, at least by implication - are you referring to the fact that Beethoven's 5th starts with the morse code representation of a V? Dah dah dah daaaaah (3 dots and a dash).

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by orlok

Well I thought that issybird had already answered this, at least by implication - are you referring to the fact that Beethoven's 5th starts with the morse code representation of a V? Dah dah dah daaaaah (3 dots and a dash).

Yes! That's the vital bit that issybird didn't mention. Implication gets you nowhere in answering Quiz questions.

Five points and victory to orlok!

V for victory and the morse code for V ...- were common themes in Allied propaganda in WWII. Including using the opening notes of Beethoven's fifth in BBC broadcasts to the continent.

And that is the second reason for V being 5 - the morse code representation of V leads you to Beethoven's fifth symphony.

Over to you, orlok!

(BTW, there were more points available in the English words section that I'd have accepted

DI 501 - name.
CIV 104 - abbreviation for Sid Meier's Civilisation (and no doubt other things)
XXXX 400 - (possible alternative for XL - cf IIII) an Australian Beer.)

[orlok]

Inspired by the Beethoven reference above, here's a fairly simple classical music themed quiz. One point for each correct answer:

Who composed the following popular classical music pieces?
1. Air ‘On The G String’
2. Rhapsody In Blue
3. Nessun dorma
4. Ode To Joy
5. A Little Night Music
6. Bolero
7. 1812 Overture
8. Hallelujah Chorus
9. The Ride Of The Valkyries
10. Pomp And Circumstance

[pdurrant]

The ones I think I know well

2. George Gershwin
4. Beethoven
5. Mozart
6. Ravel
8. Handel
9. Wagner

The others I'll have to think about.