Counting Puzzle

“In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.” – Yogi Berra

Today is the start of a new puzzle series that I’ve named “Tuesday’s Twister”. Every Tuesday I will post a new puzzle.  I’m hoping that each Tuesday Twister that I post will be for all ages.  I’ve decided to kick things off with Counting Shapes as this was the most popular of the Holiday Puzzles.  Check out the Counting Shapes post from the 20th of December.

As with many puzzles, the concept of Counting Shapes puzzles is very straight-forward and getting an answer is very easy, but getting the correct answer is a bit more challenging.

In today’s puzzles, you will be presented with a picture which is a collection of squares. All you need to do is count how many squares are in each picture. I suggest that you take your time and count twice, as it is easy to miss a few on the first count.

Below is an interactive version with three puzzles. Enter your count in each of the three boxes and then select check. You will not be told which of the three (if any) are correct, only if all three are correct. The first puzzle is easier than the other two, but still take your time and good luck! Click here for a pdf version of the puzzle.

Good Luck and pass the puzzles onto others who may enjoy them! If you get stuck and would like the solutions, use the “Contact Us” button and we will reply.

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

Here are a few hints:

the number of squares in the first puzzles is not 4; the number of squares in the second puzzle is greater than 10; and the number of squares in the third puzzle is greater than 20.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Today’s puzzle is puzzle for all ages – Counting Puzzles.  As with many puzzles, the concept is very straight-forward and getting an answer is very easy, but getting the correct answer is a bit more challenging. 

You will be presented with a picture which is a collection of shapes (triangles, squares or rectangles).  All you need to do is count how many of the given shape there are in the picture.  I suggest that you take your time and count twice, as it is easy to miss a few on the first count.

Below is an interactive version with three puzzles.  Enter your count in each of the three boxes and then select check.  You will not be told which of the three (if any) are correct, only if all three are correct.  The first puzzle is easier than the other two, but still take your time and good luck! Click here for a pdf version of the puzzle.

Good Luck and pass the puzzles onto others who may enjoy them!

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

Here are a few hints:

the number of triangles is greater than 3;  the number of squares is not 5;   and the number of rectangles is greater than 8.

“Look at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking

Here’s a new type of puzzle that I call Number Sense Puzzles.  They are geared for younger puzzlers to help them improve their number sense.  There will be 8 statements each corresponding to a number.  You have to use the numbers 0 through 9 once and only once to fill in the correct number for each statement.  You will need to use and develop your deductive problem solving skills in order to correctly place the numbers.  Since there are only 8 answers and 10 numbers (0 through 9), some of the answers will require two digits. 

I created an interactive puzzle that will automatically check your answer and provide feedback. I also created a pdf file that can be used in classrooms or with pencils for those so inclined. The goal is to have fun and challenge yourself.

I hope you enjoy these puzzles.  If you find these interesting, Click Here for a selection of more Number Sense puzzles that I’ve created.  I will be adding to the selection over time. Good Luck and pass the puzzles onto others who may enjoy them!

“I ran into Isosceles. He had a great idea for a new triangle!”
Woody Allen

It’s been some time since my last post. I was overcome by events, but now I’m back. Today is a relatively easy set of puzzles. However, beware! These are counting shape puzzles, where the shape is always a triangle. Just count the number of triangles. Pretty simple, but oddly enough most people miss the first puzzle. So here goes, how many triangles are in the following image.

Many people say “2”, the triangle on the left and the triangle on the right.  But really there are three triangles, the left, right and the big triangle (made up of both of them).  Well if you missed that here’s another chance, how many triangles can you count in the following image?

Essentially this figure is the right-side triangle from the first figure, with two lines added.  In all, there are five triangles.  Look again if you didnt count five.  Let’s reflect this figure about the vertical side to generate the next figure.  Essentially, we just “doubled” the second figure to make the third figure.  How many triangle can you count?  Is it twice as many as in the second figure?

Although the second figure was doubled (via reflection) to make the third figure, the number of triangles more than doubled.  The number of triangles in the third figure is thirteen.  Now let’s make the fourth figure by removing the center line from the third figure.  How many triangles can you count?

The number of triangles in the fourth figure is five, just like in the second figure.  Again, a straight forward puzzle that is often missed.

Good luck with the puzzles and pass them along to others who may enjoy them!