Riddles and Brain Teasers

Augustus’ Candy

Augustus loves candy and much to his delight, his three favorites are on sale. One each of gum, chocolate and caramel cost 40 cents. A caramel is over three times the price of gum. Six gums are worth more than chocolate. A caramel plus two gums cost less than chocolate. What is the price of each candy?

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Gum = 4 cents
Chocolate = 23 cents
Caramel = 13 cents

Posted in Brain Teasers

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

Fourth of July in England

Is there a 4th of July in England?

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Yes, there’s a 4th of July in every country. Of course they don’t treat it as a holiday as citizens of the United States do, but that’s not what was asked.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Far Blow Bacon

What do the following words have in common?

far
blow
bacon
lather
fasting
wariness
pacemaker

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Each of these words becomes a new word when the letter ‘e’ is placed after the first letter.far = fear
blow = below
bacon = beacon
lather = leather
fasting = feasting
wariness = weariness
pacemaker = peacemaker