2% or 98% Test

(My response to this mail at bottom)

Subject: Try this - 2% or 98%

It's FUN, try this ! Follow the instructions!
NO PEEKING AHEAD!
Free will or synaptic wiring? You be the judge.

Do the following exercise, follow these instructions, and answer the questions one at a time and as quickly as you can! Again, as quickly as you can but don't advance until you've done each of them. Now, arrow down (but not too fast, you might miss something).

Think of a number from 1 to 10

Multiply that number by 9

If the number is a 2-digit number, add the digits together

Now subtract 5

Determine which letter in the alphabet corresponds to the number you ended up with (example: 1=a, 2=b, 3=c, etc.)

Think of a country that starts with that letter

Remember the last letter in the name of that country

Think of the name of an animal that starts with that letter

Remember the last letter in the name of that animal

Think of the name of a fruit that starts with that letter

Are you thinking of a Kangaroo in Denmark eating an Orange?

If not, you're among the 2% of the population whose minds are different enough to think of something else. 98% of people will answer with kangaroos in Denmark when given this exercise. Freaky, huh?

Keep this message going. Forward it to people you know and see if they can see if they are usual or unusual.


(Below is my response to above)

To: lwee111@yahoo.com.sg
cc: family, friends
Subject: Re: Try this - 2% or 98%

Hi,

This is what maths and probability says:

100%: The maths part of this always ends with 4. Therefore starting letter is always D

100%: There is only 1 western country with name starting with D.
D for Denmark - everyone that reads English looks west! Unless you're African, Latin Am or has interest on the 'bigger world', you'd probably not know Djibouti & Dominica Rep existed (who cares?)

98%: Few animal names start with letter K (Kangaroo, Koala, Kancil).
But unless one has strong interest in nature or is SE Asian, one wld probably not think of Koala or Kancil. Anyway, most SE Asian that knows Kancil won't get to do this test (can't read English). The others are more happy to see a Kangaroo than a Kancil (wonder why).

98%: With Kangaroo, one can probably only end with Orange....
Everyone in Singapore buys orange because it is 'better' (to follow someone else's practice)! Apple, Avogado etc if you thought of Koala. Lemon, Lychee, Loquat, Langsat, Longan etc. if Kancil.

So if one ends with the 'standard' solution and is amazed by it, it's probably a celebration of/in ignorance and more. Great test to see what kind of friends you have without insulting them....

Rgds
CCK