Brain Twisters

Brain Twisters

“That’s the way things come clear. All of a sudden.
And then you realize how obvious they’ve been all along.”
Madeleine L’Engle

My kids and I enjoy riddles and wordplay. Not only are they fun to think about, they are a fun way to spend time together. Maybe you might enjoy these three with your kids or grandkids. By the way, the third one came from a scrap of newsprint entitled “Puzzler!” which I found in my grandfather’s wallet from 1942.

The answers are found at the bottom. Have fun!

• You are running in a 10K and see the finish line just ahead. You sprint for it, just passing the runner in 107th place before you cross the line.

What place did you finish?

• What two numbers can you multiply together to get four? What two numbers can you multiply together to get nine? What two numbers can you multiply together to get five?
• Three men engage a hotel room, paying $30, or $10 each. Several minutes later, the clerk discovers an overcharge mistake. Taking five one-dollar bills, he sends a bellhop up to the room to correct the error. The bellboy pockets two of the bills and gives each of the guests one. The room has now cost each guest $9, or a total of $27. That with the two dollars the bellhop stole only makes $29. What happened to the other dollar?

Answers:

• You placed 107th, you just passed the runner who would have been 107th and now you are!
• 1 and 5.
• There are still thirty dollars, twenty-five at the front desk and five distributed between the bellboy and the three guests. Why doesn’t it work out that way in reverse? You tell me, I majored in English!