A line can be defined by picking two points. If the original two points are somehow get forgotten, picking any two points from the line will define the same line.
The thing applies to linear functions too, so f(x)=ax+b can be defined by picking two arbitrary x coordinates and specifying what value the function should provide for those x-s.
If some evil entity comes with points (3,-11) and (4,-74), laughing that the important values would be at x=1 and x=2, we can just write the general f(x)=ax+b as

f(3)=a*3+b=-11
f(4)=a*4+b=-74

and solve the two equations for getting a and b:

a*3+b=-11 => b=-11-a*3
a*4+b=-74 => a*4+(-11-a*3)=-74 => a=-63
b=-11-a*3 => b=-11-(-63*3)=178

=> f(x)=-63*x+178

Then we could quickly calculate the values for x=1 and x=2 if we ever wanted to.
Actually this f(x)=ax+b thing is one of the simplest polynomial functions, a 1st degree one (This degree thing comes from the highest power of the variable x used in the expression, x is x^1, just it is rarely written out). Generally an nth degree polynomial function can be defined by picking n+1 points, this has been used above (1st degree, 2 points).
So if a completely independent evil entity says (6,39), (7,-34) and (8,-131) define a parabola, but the interesting values are at x=3,4,5, the thing is still manageable, just f(x)=a*x^2+b*x+c now, so there are 3 parameters to find and there will be 3 equations to solve

f(6)=a*36+b*6+c=39
f(7)=a*49+b*7+c=-34
f(8)=a*64+b*8+c=-131

Expressing c is rather trivial, and it is also beneficial that the evil entity has chosen x coordinates differing in 1 (so working with the b*6,7,8 parts results in simple expressions)

a*36+b*6+c=39 => c=-a*36-b*6+39
a*49+b*7+c=-34 => a*49+b*7+(-a*36-b*6+39)=-34 => a*13+b+39=-34 => b=-a*13-73

  a*64+b*8+c=-131
-(a*49+b*7+c= -34)
------------------
  a*15+b    = -97 => a*15+(-a*13-73)=-97 => a=-12
=> b=12*13-73=83 ; c=12*36-83*6+39=-27

=> f(x)=-12*x^2+83*x-27

And we could quickly calculate the values for x=3,4,5 if we ever wanted to.

Well, here comes the puzzle part: the thing works with

  • 5 points: (-1,-2600), (0,-534), (1,80), (6,-430) and (7,-2382)
  • and a 4th degree polynomial f(x)=a*x^4+b*x^3+c*x^2+d*x+e too

The relevant points are x=1,2,3,4,5 (yes, x=1 is given already :-P)

Some preliminary hints:

  • while 5 equations are 5 equations, x=-1,0,1 points provide rather friendly ones, especially the 0
  • instead of solving the equations, Lagrange interpolation (or Lagrange polynomials) can do the job too (just it is a bit tedious to do on paper, so get a calculator, computer, WolframAlpha, Excel, or some fancy web page)

For verification purposes I can also tell that f(1)+f(2)+f(3)+f(4)+f(5)=474

TL;DR
All of the above makes sense only if you are interested in an armor glove. Just Google Translate it to Hungarian and back to English ;-)


Solutions

The polynomial is f(x)= -341/24*x^4 +2063/12*x^3 -17083/24*x^2 +14017/12*x -534, and the actual giveaway code is Pg7sy. Approximating the fractional part (with some 4-5 decimal digits) should also work well.
The example calculations point to a Cubemen giveaway, s4rqX, the first two characters come from the line (at x=1,2), and the last three come from the parabola (at x=3,4,5)

9 years ago*

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Here is a poll for you, without potatoes

View Results
OK
NOT OK

Placeholder

9 years ago
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A hint has been added: f(1)+f(2)+f(3)+f(4)+f(5)=474

9 years ago
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Bump for plenty of time left, and feel free to screw your weekend with polynomials ;-)
XOXOXO, tevemadar

9 years ago
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The answer is: x

9 years ago
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View attached image.
9 years ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 1 year ago.

9 years ago
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No, it's x

9 years ago
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Deleted

This comment was deleted 1 year ago.

9 years ago
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It's quite clearly x, can't you see?

9 years ago
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Yes! Thanks for that image :)

9 years ago
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It was on the Internet, but you are welcome :-)

9 years ago
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Done. Already owned but I like being a showoff ;-)

9 years ago
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This feels like Good Will Hunting.

9 years ago
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I have that movie for a long time, but still have not seen it. Maybe this year...

9 years ago
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That entity is truly evil

9 years ago
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I'm with the phone, I'll take a look later when I'm on the PC.
Also, a poll without a proper potato option?

9 years ago
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Bumpity for solved!
:D

9 years ago
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So do I understand it right: I have 5 points and the function is searched?

e = -534
d = 1234.083333333
c = -722.79
b = 105.9166666666
a = -3.20833333333

f(x)=-3.20833333333x^4+105.9166666666x^3-722.79x^2+1234.083333333x-534

is it right?

9 years ago
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Try for the last point (7,-2382), and you will see the expression gives some 1314
Otherwise please refrain from posting solutions, this is the puzzle board, and this is a puzzle

9 years ago
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Your d value is too big, are you trying to overcompensate for something else?

9 years ago
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Ups, I forgot it :/
Bump for solved.

View attached image.
9 years ago
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I am done with the GRE once, I don't wanna go back to that nightmare again

9 years ago
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Well, getting f(1), f(2), etc... wasn't too hard but... What exactly am I expected to do with those 5 beautiful numbers? :D

9 years ago
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Now really, this is the puzzle board, and practically you always get to "Invite only" giveaways at the end.
Maybe those numbers are ASCII codes ;-)
(Do not forget appending the /, like http://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/74S8a does not lead to this discussion, but http://www.steamgifts.com/discussion/74S8a/ does)

9 years ago
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<3

9 years ago
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Well I solved it too, but I don't really know what to do with the numbers. Even when you say ASCII codes... :/

9 years ago
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I tried a few things but sadly no luck. :/

9 years ago
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Double check that f(x) produces the specified values for x=-1,0,1,6,7
Remember that it is not a,b,c,d,e what you need, but f(x) for x=1,2,3,4,5 ( like f(1)=80 as specified already, and it is the ASCII code of P)
For verification purposes I can also tell that f(1)+f(2)+f(3)+f(4)+f(5)=474

9 years ago
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Solved...

9 years ago
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Lol I missed that hint :-P

9 years ago
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Bump for solved!

9 years ago
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... and my mind shut off in less than a sentence ^_^; Math is NOT my thing. lol~ Lucky for me, it's not a game I'm dying to have!

Regardless, thanks for the (overwhelming to me) info and the GA! :D

9 years ago
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You are welcome :) Actually an open GA is running too, just it has more entries => the chance of winning is slightly smaller.

9 years ago
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I see that... and that you like Contrast (three copies given, so I'm assuming so) ;D Very neat game, I really enjoyed that one :)

9 years ago
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Yes, I even pre-purchased it (+1 for GA), and did not regret at all. I have to admit that the ones from a few weeks ago were discounted on GMG.

9 years ago
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Bump for solved! Thank for the puzzle! =)

View attached image.
9 years ago
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bump for solved ^^

9 years ago
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And bump for solved.

9 years ago
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I'm getting a,b,c,d,e in fractions :/

9 years ago*
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That is normal, there is a division by 3 at least. As discussed a bit above with warhawkturbo:
"Remember that it is not a,b,c,d,e what you need, but f(x) for x=1,2,3,4,5 ( like f(1)=80 as specified already, and it is the ASCII code of P)"

9 years ago
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Bump for math!

9 years ago
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^bump for solved.
Was enjoyable. Thank you.

9 years ago
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Bump for solved.

This was a fun thing to do in the middle of the night. If I'm not mistaken this took me 2 hours :D

9 years ago
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Damn, why was now when I chose to lend my Ti-nspire to a friend for a week? -.-

9 years ago
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2am here, yea, good luck with that! :D
bump, not even gonna bother with it.

9 years ago
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Bump for solved

9 years ago
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Thank you for the lovely maths puzzle. Bump for solved :)

9 years ago
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It's easy, I'm sure you wrote the big wall of text to scare people off...

9 years ago
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So far it works :-D

9 years ago
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