logo
Did you solve it? The most Guardian puzzle ever

Did you solve it? The most Guardian puzzle ever

The Guardian26-05-2025

Earlier today I set you some problems on 'guardian numbers.' Here they are again with solutions.
The definition: the guardian of x is the next number that shares at least one digit of x.
For example: the guardian of 4 is 14, and the guardian of 59 is 65.
Guardian figures
(For all the questions, consider only the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on.)
a) Find the guardian of 17, the guardian of 79, and the guardian of 179.
b) Find two consecutive numbers with the same guardian.
c) How many numbers are exactly 9 less than their guardian?
Solutions a) 21, 87, 180. b) 19, 20, also 199, 200, and so on. c) one (the number 1)
A number's grandguardian is their guardian's guardian.
d) Who is the grandguardian of 499?
e) Whose grandguardian is 900?
Solutions d) 505, e) 898
Two numbers are cousins if they have the same grandguardian but different guardians.
f) What is the smallest pair of cousins?
Solution f) 28, 30
Thanks again to Daniel Griller, who set today's puzzle and came up with the idea of number guardians. Check out his book A Ring of Cats and Dogs.
I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire
Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire

The Sun

time37 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Huge blaze engulfs warehouse with smoke visible for miles as urgent warning issued to locals & firefighters battle fire

Milad Sherzad, News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, AN ENORMOUS fire has engulfed a warehouse sending smoke billowing into the sky tonight. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued urgent warnings to locals to keep their windows and doors shut as around 80 firefighters tackle the devastating blaze at the two-storey warehouse in Enfield, north London. 6 6 6 Residents have even reported seeing smoke rising high into the night sky from miles away. At present, 12 fire engines are fighting the blaze which is "currently producing a greater amount of smoke", LFB said. The emergency service added that it expects its crews to be at the scene for several hours. Dramatic footage shows a number of fire engines surrounding the warehouse as smoke billows high above into the night sky. In the background, ambulances can also be seen parked nearby - it is currently not known if there have been any injuries from the blaze. The fire can also be seen slowly creeping its way through the roof of the structure - which appears to have caved in - sending even more smoke high above the warehouse. Surrounding the burning structure are a number of other buildings, including one bearing branding from supermarket Tesco while another appears to belong to delivery company Yodel. Cars can also be seen driving along the M25 motorway just metres away from the blaze. Countless locals have taken to social media to share pictures of the fire, with some images showing the inferno sending smoke upwards in large dark plumes. LFB said its crews received the first of around 30 calls at approximately 8.05pm on Saturday evening. Fire crews were then deployed from a number of stations across London in order to tackle the inferno, including from Enfield, Edmonton, Chingford and Woodford, the force said. It added that its crews are being assisted by Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Essex County Fire & Rescue Service. Two 32-metre turntable ladders from Tottenham and Soho fire stations have also been utilised, LFB added. They are being "used as a water tower to help extinguish the fire from above". 6 6 6 LFB said it has also deployed a "Hose Layer Unit" as part of its response, helping to increase the amount of water available for firefighting operations. In a statement on Saturday evening, LFB confirmed that the cause of the devastating blaze was not yet known. Mollison Avenue, the road leading to the warehouses, has been shut, with diversion routes now in place. In an update posted shortly after midnight, Enfield Council said the fire was now "contained".

I'm feeling guilty about all the casual sex I've been having and worry my daughters will do the same
I'm feeling guilty about all the casual sex I've been having and worry my daughters will do the same

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

I'm feeling guilty about all the casual sex I've been having and worry my daughters will do the same

DEAR DEIDRE: BEING desired by men used to make me feel so powerful and good about myself, but recently I've been feeling guilty about all the casual sex I've been having. I'm 28 and a single mother to two daughters, aged seven and three. I support us all by myself and we have a nice life. They are my everything and yet I spend so much money on babysitters so I can go out on casual dates. I wake up in the morning thinking, 'Never again'. Then I'm straight back on the apps, looking for my next hook-up. Last year I met a man I really hoped would be The One. He seemed kind and caring, and I got to know him slowly before we had sex. When we finally did, I cried because it was both passionate and loving. A few months later, my best friend found him on Tinder still. Relationships have never been easy for me. I get very clingy and emotional — boyfriends don't stick around long. But I've always loved sex, mainly because it makes me feel so good about myself, for a short time at least. I met my girls' father when I was only 18 and got pregnant by accident. We tried to make the relationship work but we had nothing in common. My sex drive was much higher than his and the constant rejection ruined my confidence. When we split up, I had one-night stands to reassert my independence. I thought it would be a phase but I'm finding it impossible to stop. I'm constantly looking for sex and I almost don't care who it's with. But I'm worried my daughters will grow up to do the same. Dear Deidre: Understanding why your man's gone off sex DEIDRE SAYS: A craving to be desired is often a sign of low self-esteem, which usually develops at a young age. You don't say what growing up was like for you, or how you were treated as a child, but it may be the root cause of your feelings. It might also explain your attachment style and why you feel so vulnerable in relationships. The good news is, being a loving mother will help your own daughters grow up with a more secure foundation. You're not failing your daughters. You are raising both of them by yourself, which is no easy task. Build up your self-confidence to help break the habit of seeking meaningless sex. I'm sending you my support packs on Raising Self-esteem and Finding The Right Partner For You. I know you're wary, believing you'll never find love. That's understandable after all you've been through. But you still have plenty of time to find the right person. MY DOUBTS OVER GIRL'S PARENTAGE I HAVE doubts over who is the father of my granddaughter. My daughter is 28 and I'm her father. She'd been dating her current partner – a lovely lad, a builder, aged 30 – for only a couple of months when she got pregnant last year. It was a shock to both of them, but he stepped up. They all live together now and seem very happy. But the baby looks nothing like him. And I mean nothing. She has bright ginger hair, blue eyes and very pale skin. My daughter's boyfriend has black hair, green eyes and sallow skin. But you know who does have ginger hair? My daughter's old next-door neighbour. I never liked him. He's much older than my daughter and seemed to live a sketchy life, full of 'deals' and far-fetched stories. My daughter liked him, though, and they often met for coffee or went shopping. He has money – I don't know where from – and was always helping her out financially. He's the spitting image of my granddaughter and I can't help but assume he's the father. I daren't say anything in case I spark a family rift, but I think my daughter's partner deserves the truth. He's working all hours to support them, while the neighbour swans around like nothing's happened. I asked my daughter if she'd ever had a fling with her old neighbour and she looked at me in horror. She swore on her daughter's life that nothing had ever happened. But I don't know. Each child gets half their genes from each parent, and the final combination can be unexpected. It's not unusual for parents to have a child who looks nothing like either of them. Appearances can change over time, too. Your daughter's partner might seem darker-skinned, but his outdoorsy job could just have tanned him. And babies' eyes often look blue when they're born, but can change during the first year. It wouldn't be wise to go storming in and would probably damage your relationship with your daughter. You're right in thinking you might spark a family feud if you voice your doubts again. You risk setting the couple against each other too, at a time when they need to be united for your granddaughter's sake. Your role is to support your family, not create conflict. DUMPING HIM OVER SEX I'M so sick of my boyfriend turning me down for sex, I've decided to dump him. The final straw happened tonight. We don't live together – we're both 22 – so I texted him a sexy message, asking if I should pop over for some fun. His reply? 'I've just put my tea on.' What red-blooded man would rather watch a ready-meal in the microwave than have sex with his girlfriend? After that, I realised we are only ever intimate when he initiates it. I sent him a long message explaining how hurt I felt, and he simply replied, 'OK.' That's it. He's blocked. DEIDRE SAYS: You're understandably upset. Sex should be a loving act enjoyed by both of you, not something only he can initiate. He sounds like he is keen to keep everything on his terms. If you want to work on this then meet up to discuss how he feels about your relationship, explain how rejected you feel. You won't get any answers by blocking him. My support pack, Looking After Your Relationship, explains more. FAMILY FORUM DEAR DEIDRE: MY son's real dad got back in touch, so I'll have to finally tell my son about him. I'm 45, my son is 15. He thinks my husband, who is also 45, is his father. He's not. His real dad is a man I had a fling with, who vanished as soon as I got pregnant. Two years later, I met my husband, and we became a family. I was always waiting for the right time to break the news. Every time I'd gathered the courage to tell my son the truth, a crisis would get in the way. I was ill, then we had to move house, then Covid. The years flew by. I'd resigned myself to breaking the news on my son's 18th birthday, but then my ex got back in touch out of the blue. He wants to see our son. I don't think I can deny him that. But we're in the middle of another crisis. My husband had an affair three years ago and I'm struggling to get over it. My son is already shaken by the bad atmosphere so I don't feel I can shake his world further. DEIDRE SAYS: It is good that you plan to tell your son about his biological dad as secrets do have a way of coming out. You can handle this in a way that minimises the stress on everyone. The first step is to sort things out with your husband. Counselling – ideally as a couple, but individually if necessary – is a good way to process issues like infidelity. It lets you work through all your feelings and then find a way to move past them. I realise you're finding it hard to forgive your husband but remember, forgiveness is something you do for you, not anyone else. It's not letting him off the hook, it's giving yourself permission to move forwards. When it comes to revealing the news to your son, you can find advice through Family Lives ( 0808 800 2222). Talking to him is going to be difficult, and only you can decide when the right time is. But impress upon him that your husband has always been there for him and loves him unconditionally.

Cancer weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for June 22
Cancer weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for June 22

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Cancer weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for June 22

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. Sign up for the Mystic Meg newsletter. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22 1 Now Mars is established in your connections sector, you have the courage to contact anyone, even when you are not sure what the response will be. So do use this while it is hot. If you are in love, a personal new moon is your try-anything trump card; ask again, and a partner may have changed their mind. If you are single, no one is out of your league; remember that around 'K'. DESTINY DAYS Gather special people together on Tuesday and Wednesday, and find ways to show them how much you care. Reboot a side-business, or a work overtime plan on Friday. Dress up on Sunday, even just to stay home; love can come knocking! What is your star sign's element? In astrology, the elements — Air, Water, Earth, and Fire signs — serve as foundational principles that influence the characteristics and behaviours associated with the twelve star signs. Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn The Earth signs are grounded in the tangible and practical aspects of life, embodying the stable and nurturing qualities of their element. These signs are known for their pragmatism, reliability, and strong connection to the physical world, often excelling in matters that require patience and persistence. Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius The Air signs are characterised by their intellectual, communicative, and social nature. This reflects the light and dynamic essence of their elemental influence. Overall, these signs tend to excel in the realms of ideas, relationships, and innovation, bringing a breath of fresh air to their interactions and thought processes. Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces The Water element signs are profoundly impacted by their element. With each astrological sign, water gives way to emotional depth, strong intuition, and a capacity for deep empathy and connection. Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Fuelled by the element of Fire, these fire signs in astrology are known for their passion, boldness, energy, enthusiasm, courage, and a zest for life that often leads them to adventurous and creative endeavours. MAKE THIS THE WEEK YOU Speak honestly and openly, rather than trying to guess what other people expect. Fit more wandering and wondering space into your daily routine TAROT CHALLENGE Your Tarot card this week is the EARTH PRINCESS, a symbol of steady progress, self-belief, and calm, quiet connections. Do not expect steamy hook-ups and thrilling challenges, but emotional moves decided after a period of shared discussion can still be life-changing. Just remember there is a fine line between being patient and being a pushover, in love and money. Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what's in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions. hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it's like to live your life totally by your horoscope.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store