Maths Puzzles: A Workout for Your Brain

Maths Puzzles?

Who doesn’t like a good physique? We go to the gym to work out and shape up our body. But we forget that our brain too needs a workout. How to exercise your brain? Well, the answer is Maths Puzzles. Maths Puzzles are a great way to exercise your brain. Generally, a puzzle is a question designed in such a way that you have to think out of the box to solve it. Math Puzzles take it to the next level by introducing some basic concepts of Mathematics in it. The concepts that are included are not too advanced and generally a basic knowledge of Mathematical concepts is enough to solve these puzzles.

Advantages of solving Maths Puzzles

There are a plethora of advantages of solving Maths Puzzles. First, it improves your analytical skills. Generally, mathematical puzzles are based on real life problems. So, solving the puzzles also gives you an insight into solving real world problems. Second, solving the puzzles increases your calculating ability. Most of the problems consist of calculations that can be performed mentally. So, by calculating the answers mentally, you speed of solving problems improves. The list of advantages could go on and on but the main thing that Maths Puzzles provide your brain the necessary workout.

Ready for a workout?

Let’s exercise our brains right now. Try to solve the puzzle below:

When asked about his birthday, a man said:

“The day before yesterday I was only 25 and next year I will turn 28.” _(Source)

This is true only one day in a year – when was he born?

The above is an example of a typical Math Puzzle. It involves basic algebra concepts and also requires you to think out of the box. Now let’s try to solve the puzzle. What is most important in solving puzzles is the approach you take. If you correctly approach a puzzle, you can solve it on the first try itself. However, get the approach wrong, and you will end up scratching your heads as to why you cannot solve the puzzle. Take a few moments and think about the problem. Try to find the solution yourself. If you find yourself unable to solve the problem, change your approach and try again. If you are still unable to answer, see the solution below.

Solution

Let’s start by thinking about what information is provided in the question. The man says that he was 25 the day before yesterday and next year he will turn 28. That means, in a single year, he will turn 26 and 27 as well. However, this cannot be possible. Therefore, there must be some trick to the way he says it. If we think about it, we will realize that the only way this is possible is if the man was born on December 31’st. He talks about it on January 1^st. Therefore, while talking on January 1^st, he was 25 the day before yesterday, that is, on December 30. On December 31^st he turned 26. The next December 31^st, he will turn 27. And the year next to that, that is on the next 31^st December, he will turn 28. Technically, he is right since the year he says all this, he will turn 27 and the next year that is on the next December 31st he will turn 28. This problem is a typical example of how Maths Puzzles require you to think out of the box.

Off to the Gym

Now that you know how awesome Maths Puzzles can be, just get hold of any puzzle and start solving it. With the advancements in technology, you can even download apps like NODA, Greg, DOTS etc. You can also Google “Maths Puzzles” and find some amazing puzzles that will beef up your brain.

So then, what are you waiting for? Solve a puzzle and give your brain the workout it needs.