Category: Math Puzzles
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An Oxford MAT Exam Question
This is a fairly standard exercise in integral calculus. I guess the standards for getting into Oxford to read mathematics is dropping. Oh well. Anyway, can you figure out the right answer? If so, perhaps you too, deserve a place at Oxford. Solution There’s a bit to unpack here. We have sketched the equation y…
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Oxford University Mathematics Challenge
A simple cubic equation sort of looks like a snake meandering through the origin. Adding other terms changes the way it meanders, which often results in different intersections it makes with the axes. Our challenge today is to analyze the above equation find out exactly how many solutions it has. Now are you ready? Let’s…
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Can ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot Pass The Apple-Orange Interview At Apple 🍎?
Two years ago, I wrote an article on the above logical puzzle about correctly labelling the three boxes containing apples, oranges, and a mix of apples and oranges. To this day, it has been read over 100k times and sparked over 200 dialogues in the comment section. In the same period of time, numerous AI…
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How Big Is The Red Area?
I was walking by the cathedral in town today and found out it was Ash Wednesday today thanks to the congregation of people sat at the front of the church, waiting for the liturgy to commence. So out of curiosity, I took a seat and had my first ever Ash Wednesday liturgy. When the priest…
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Are You Smart Enough To Find A + H?
Come not between the dragon and his wrath. Apparently this is a quote from Shakespeare, and I happened to have seen this on a dragon notebook I bought from Waterstones. I think this puzzle really is a system of simultaneous equations in disguise. So buckle up my friends, and give this a go! When you…
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An Algebra Puzzle
There are many ways one can solve this. It all boils down to what sort of techniques you are most comfortable with. Now grab a pen and paper, and give this a go, When you are ready, keep reading for the solution. Solution I am going to present this method of turning the insides of…
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Can You Count Them All?
So we have a star, a mountain and another shape today. Our job is to carefully count all the triangles in each of them. I encourage you to give this problem a try, and when you are ready, keep reading for the solution. Solution Of course there are 5 triangles. But there’s more! This is…
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Happy Valentine’s Day: Can You Maximize The Love On This Day?
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, I hope you are having a euphoric moment, but if not, you can try this algebra puzzle about maximizing the expression LUV + LU + UV + LV given L + U + V = 12. What’s your favorite song about romance? Mine is A Thousand Years by Christina Perri. I…
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A Geometry Puzzle: What’s OC?
Honestly please share your approach to this one in the comments below because there are at least 7 different ways you can get to the correct answer. It’s also a good exercise in reviewing your trigonometry fundamentals. So dig in, my friend! And when you are done trying, keep reading for the solution. Solution Because…