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When taking an IQ test, the set of numbers given is:

17, 12, 108, 9.

You are supposed to work out which number does not fit. I have earmarked 17 as the incorrect number for two different reasons: it's the only number not divisible by 3, and it's the only number not divisible by another number in the sequence (i.e. 108÷12=9) - but the test keeps saying that's not the correct answer.

Please help me determine which number does not fit, and why.

Stiv
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Erin Wingender
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    What is the question exactly? To choose the odd one out among these numbers? Is it just an unordered set of numbers, or a sequence where the order is important? – Rand al'Thor Jun 11 '23 at 14:39

2 Answers2

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As @Randal'Thor mentioned in the comments, it's not fully clear whether this is simply a set of numbers or really a sequence where order matters. Since it is not asked for the next number, this looks to me more like a simple "odd one out". For me there is no "obvious" solution and I am sure you could think of many more reasons why one number is the "odd one out".

17:

- it is the only prime number

- it's the only number with an even cross sum

12:

- the last digits are increasing 7,8,9 but the 2 of 12 doesn't fit

108:

- as @IlCorsaroNero mentioned it's the only number increasing the otherwise falling sequence

9:

- because it is the only number which doesn't start with 1

theozh
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    In other words, odd-one-out puzzles with just a bunch of numbers are a bad puzzle/ question format in general. Any answer is correct and this just becomes a 'guess what I am thinking' puzzle. – quarague Jun 13 '23 at 13:12
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For me the incorrect number is :

108 because the number are decrease but 108 is the only number the increase the sequence.

IlCorsaroNero
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