Riddles and Brain Teasers

Three Foot Ruler

Where can you find a three foot ruler?

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At a yard sale. How did another joke riddle get in here?

Posted in Riddles

Always Done On Purpose

Of all the things that are broken,
this makes the least noise
and is always done on purpose.

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Bread.

By Sef Daystrom

Posted in Riddles

Messy Math

What is the answer to this problem?

48 / 2(9 + 3) = ?

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It depends. Usually, math has one right answer, but in this case, the order of operations can get a little quirky.There are two ways to solve this. First, like so:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
24 × 12 = 288But another, arguably valid way is:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
48 / 24 = 2Thanks to KnowYourMeme for providing a great overview on this one. Math StackExchange has more discussion.

It depends. Usually, math has one right answer, but in this case, the order of operations can get a little quirky.

There are two ways to solve this. First, like so:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
24 × 12 = 288

But another, arguably valid way is:
48 / 2 × (9 + 3) = ?
48 / 2 × (12) = ?
48 / 24 = 2

Thanks to KnowYourMeme for providing a great overview on this one. Math StackExchange has more discussion.

Posted in Brain Teasers

A Silent Z

What word in the English dictionary has a silent z?

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The word rendezvous. Even though it’s a French word, it’s in the English dictionary and is pronounced [rahn-duh-voo].Turns out rendezvous isn’t the only one. Another word is oyez.

The word rendezvous. Even though it’s a French word, it’s in the English dictionary and is pronounced [rahn-duh-voo].

Turns out rendezvous isn’t the only one. Another word is oyez.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Early Ages The Iron Boot Tread

Early ages the iron boot tread,
with Europe at her command.
Through time power slipped and fled,
’til the creation of new holy land.
Who am I?

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Italy / Rome.

Posted in Riddles

Priscilla and Bruce Exchanging Money

Priscilla gave her brother Bruce as much money as Bruce started with. Bruce gave Priscilla as much money as Priscilla had left. Priscilla then gave Bruce as much as Bruce had left, which left Priscilla broke. Bruce had $80.00.

How much money did Priscilla and Bruce start with?

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Priscilla: $50
Bruce: $30Step 1
Priscilla gives Bruce $30
Priscilla: $20
Bruce: $60Step 2
Bruce gives Priscilla $20
Priscilla: $40
Bruce: $40Step 3
Priscilla gives Bruce $40
Priscilla: $0
Bruce: $80

Priscilla: $50
Bruce: $30

Step 1
Priscilla gives Bruce $30
Priscilla: $20
Bruce: $60

Step 2
Bruce gives Priscilla $20
Priscilla: $40
Bruce: $40

Step 3
Priscilla gives Bruce $40
Priscilla: $0
Bruce: $80

Posted in Brain Teasers

What Once Was Red Is Black Instead

Tear one off and scratch my head, what once was red is black instead. What am I?

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A match. You tear a match out of a matchbook and scratch the head to light it, then the red tip turns black from the flame.This is an exact duplicate of Tear One Off and Scratch My Head but I’m leaving it to avoid broken links.