Wednesday, 30 November 2011

30th Nov 2011 Lateral Thinking: Fun Puzzles & Tests

Nov 30A

The rather interesting puzzles & Tests below would be solved with logical solutions at the end. But do try to solve them yourself first, bearing in mind that you should exercise vigorously your mind and imagination.


1) Anthony and Cleopatra 

 


Anthony and Cleopatra are lying dead on the floor of a villa in Egypt. Nearby is a broken bowl. There is no mark on either of their bodies and they were not poisoned. How did they die?


Solution:


Anthony and Cleopatra were goldfish whose bowl was knocked over by a clumsy dog. 


This is one of a set of puzzles which deceive by using human names for animals. This is not a very satisfactory basis for a good puzzle but despite that, the puzzle has enduring popularity


2) The Coal, Carrot and Scarf

 


Five pieces of coal, a carrot and a scarf are lying on the lawn. Nobody put them on the lawn but there is a perfectly logical reason why they should be there. What is it? 


Solution:


They were used by children who made a snowman. The snow has now melted. Another change of state puzzle. After this you should be on the look-out for them!


3) Trouble with Sons

 


A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the same year. But they were not twins, and they were not adopted. How could this be so? 


Solution:


They were two of a set of triplets (or quadruplets etc.)

This simple little puzzle stumps many people. They try outlandish solutions involving test-tube babies or surrogate mothers. Why does the brain search for complex solutions when there is a much simpler one available? 


4) Push that Car

 


A man pushed his car. He stopped when he reached a hotel at which point he knew he was bankrupt. Why? 


Solution:


Monopoly


I will post part 2, 3 & 4 later or in the following days for those of you, like me, who enjoys mental stimulation and exercise. 

Prev: 30th Nov 2011 Wisdom Or Sarcasm; As You Take It

30th Nov 2011 Wisdom Or Sarcasm; As You Take It

Nov 30
** If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
** Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it again.
** Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
** Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.
** On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the Escape key.
** Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
** If you dig a hole for someone else, you'll fall into it. - Hungarian proverb
** If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
** You never truly understand something until you can explain it to your grandmother.
** Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

Prev: 29th Nov 2011 Rhino In The Sky