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I thought of MathOverflow.net and Math.StackExchange.com but both of them seem to be for advanced users. I have come up with a simple puzzle, but those sites seem to only support more innovative topics and discussions.

Do you believe its still OK to post the question there in Math.StackExchange?

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Just to clarify: Do you want to ask about a puzzle, or do you want to post a puzzle (like code golf)? –  Time Traveling Bobby May 10 '11 at 8:23
@Bobby, Post a puzzle and get an answer for that :) –  InfantPro'Aravind' Jun 16 '11 at 14:00

2 Answers 2

up vote 5 down vote accepted

Mathematics [math.stackexchange.com] is indeed the site for "normal" people. The welcome text says:

This is a collaboratively edited question and answer site for people studying math at any level and professionals in related fields. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I'd say that would be the appropriate site to post your question (unless it contains source code and/or is about a specific programming language, then you might consider posting it on Stack Overflow, instead).

You're correct about Math Overflow being exclusively for professional mathematicians. A question that is deemed "too basic" is very likely to be closed there. It is not operated by the Stack Exchange 2.0 network (the group that runs this site and Mathematics, among others). Their FAQ says:

MathOverflow's primary goal is for users to ask and answer research level math questions, the sorts of questions you come across when you're writing or reading articles or graduate level books. Of course, individual questions don't have to be worthy of an article, and they don't have to be about new mathematics. A typical example is, "Can this hypothesis in that theorem be relaxed in this way?"

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thanks understood :) –  InfantPro'Aravind' Jun 16 '11 at 14:02

You could ask on the math.SE's meta; it perhaps depends on the nature of the puzzle itself. From the FAQ/about (emphasis mine):

Mathematics - Stack Exchange is for people studying mathematics at any level and professionals in related fields. We welcome questions about:

  • Understanding mathematical concepts and theorems
  • Hints on mathematical problems (but please read our FAQ about homework questions)
  • History and development of mathematics
  • Solving mathematical puzzles
  • Software that mathematicians use

So maybe it isn't a bad fit - but like I say; maybe ask on the math meta whether it is a "fit", and accept that maybe the answer is "no".

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