Weighty Wine

How much does a bottle of wine weigh if it is 1 kilogram plus half its own weight?

2 kg.

If we let half of the bottle’s weight be “n”, then we get the following equation: n/2 + 1kg = n (the bottle’s weight).

Solve for n:
n/2 + 1 = n
1 = n/2
2 = n

Posted in Brain Teasers

The Lost City of Chenarz

You want to go on an adventure to the remote city of Chenarz, but it’s 120 miles off the Pacific coast. To conserve money, take the smallest number of people as possible. Each person can carry enough food for five days but you can only travel 30 miles a day. You want to reach Chenarz, stay overnight, and return the next day. How many people, including yourself, must you take to reach the city?

Note: Please don’t let anyone starve.

You will need three other members in your party to accomplish your mission for a total of four people.

Four people × 5 day’s rations = 20 day’s rations.

Day 1: 5 rations – Four day’s rations are used. One person goes back using one day’s ration for the return trip.
Day 2: 5 rations – Remaining three members use three day’s rations. One goes back using two day’s rations for the return trip.
Day 3: 5 rations – Remaining two use two day’s rations. One goes back using three day’s rations for the return trip.
Day 4: 1 ration – You use one day’s rations. You reach the city and stay the night.
Day 5: 4 rations – You return to the coast using up four day’s rations.

Posted in Brain Teasers

A Box Without Hinges

A box without hinges, key or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid.

What is it?

An egg.

(From J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit)

Posted in Riddles

From Plant to Star

What plant becomes the name of a star by removing the first letter, becomes a number without the last letter and becomes a bird if the first and last letters are taken away?

Ivy

VY = VY Canis Majoris, one of the largest known stars
IV = Roman Numeral 4
V = representation of a bird

Posted in Riddles

Graphical Rebus Six

What does this rebus represent?

Rebus

Waterloo Sunset

Posted in Riddles
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Asks No Questions

What asks no questions but receives lots of answers?

A phone or doorbell.

Posted in Riddles

The Old Man’s Book

Milton shuffled slowly along the shelves browsing books. He finally walked up to the counter and handed the girl a book. She looked at the inside cover and told him it would be $3.75. Milton handed her the money and walked away without the book. The girl watched him leave empty-handed but didn’t try to stop him. Why?

Milton was a forgetful and naughty fellow. He was summoning his courage to approach the counter to return his overdue book. The kindly lass at the counter saw the book was 15 days overdue and had accrued the egregious late fee of $3.75 (25 cents a day). Lesson learned, Milton never returned a book late again.

Posted in Brain Teasers

What is the Five Digit Number?

What 5-digit number satisfies the following requirements?

1. No zeroes
2. First two digits are the same
3. Fourth digit is twice the first
4. Last digit is twice the third
5. Sum of all digits is 18

33264.

There are several ways of solving this. One way is to represent each spot with a letter, A – E.

Then you have these equations:

A = B
D = 2 * A
E = 2 * C
A + B + C + D + E = 18

By simplifying, you get:

4 * A + 3 * C = 18

Plug in values for A and C to find that A = 3 C = 2.

Posted in Brain Teasers

Always Runs, Never Walks

What always runs but never walks, often murmurs, never talks, has a bed but never sleeps, has a mouth but never eats?

A river.

Posted in Riddles

Hide in Daylight But Prefer the Sun

I hide in the daylight but prefer the sun,
I have no fingers but can hold a gun,
I have three eyes but cannot see,
I live on land but in a tree,
I’m spotted in pink and cannot grow,
When you look away is when I show.

What am I?

Hint: There’s a different answer for each line

This riddle is a compilation of several riddles. The answers for each line are as follows:

1. Shadow
2. Holster
3. Traffic light
4. Bird
5. The letter ‘i’
6. Your side profile

Posted in Riddles