Puzzle

Introduction to Puzzles

Puzzles are problems or games that require logical reasoning to solve. They often involve arranging elements, decoding clues, or deducing answers from partial information.

Types of puzzles frequently asked in exams include:

• Logical puzzles
• Number puzzles
• Direction puzzles
• Ranking puzzles
• Box puzzles
• Scheduling puzzles

20 Puzzle Questions with Answers

1. Q1: There are three boxes. One contains only apples, one contains only oranges, and one contains both apples and oranges. The boxes are incorrectly labeled. How many boxes must you check to correctly label all boxes?
   Answer: One box (pick a fruit from the box labeled “both” and relabel accordingly.)
2. Q2: A clock shows the time as 3:15. What is the angle between the hour and the minute hands?
   Answer: 7.5 degrees
3. Q3: If you rearrange the letters “CIFAIPC” you get the name of a:
   Answer: Pacific (Ocean)
4. Q4: Two trains start from the same point and move in opposite directions at speeds of 60 km/h and 40 km/h. After how much time will they be 200 km apart?
   Answer: 2 hours
5. Q5: You have a 3-liter and a 5-liter jug. How can you measure exactly 4 liters of water?
   Answer: Fill 5-liter jug and pour into 3-liter jug, leaving exactly 2 liters in the 5-liter jug. Empty 3-liter jug, pour the 2 liters into it, fill 5-liter jug again, then pour water from 5-liter jug into 3-liter jug until full. You get exactly 4 liters left in the 5-liter jug.
6. Q6: A man walks 3 km north, 4 km east, then 3 km south. How far is he from his starting point?
   Answer: 4 km
7. Q7: Which number comes next in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
   Answer: 42 (pattern: n(n+1))
8. Q8: There are 12 coins, one of which is counterfeit and differs in weight. You have a balance scale. How can you find the counterfeit coin in 3 weighings?
   Answer: Divide coins into groups and weigh strategically, eliminating groups until the counterfeit is found.
9. Q9: A farmer wants to cross a river with a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage. He can carry only one at a time. How can he cross without anything being eaten?
   Answer: Take goat across first, return alone, take wolf across, bring goat back, take cabbage across, return alone, take goat across again.
10. Q10: If 5 workers can complete a job in 8 days, how long will 8 workers take?
    Answer: 5 days
11. Q11: How many squares are there in a chessboard?
    Answer: 204 squares (sum of squares 1²+2²+...+8²)
12. Q12: A father is 40 years old, and his son is 10 years old. How many years ago was the father three times as old as his son?
    Answer: 5 years ago
13. Q13: In a code language, if “CAT” is written as 3120, what is the code for “DOG”?
    Answer: 4157 (assuming letters correspond to numbers)
14. Q14: What comes next in the pattern: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ?
    Answer: 13 (Fibonacci sequence)
15. Q15: How many times do the hands of a clock overlap in 24 hours?
    Answer: 22 times every 12 hours, so 44 times in 24 hours
16. Q16: A bag contains 5 red and 7 blue balls. What is the minimum number of balls drawn to ensure 3 balls of the same color?
    Answer: 5 balls
17. Q17: A word is written backwards as “NOITACUDE”. What is the correct word?
    Answer: EDUCATION
18. Q18: A man buys an item for Rs. 500 and sells it at Rs. 600. What is the profit percentage?
    Answer: 20%
19. Q19: Which number should come next: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?
    Answer: 112 (doubles every time)
20. Q20: If 3x + 5 = 20, what is the value of x?
    Answer: 5

Tips for Solving Puzzles

• Read the question carefully and understand what is asked.
• Look for patterns or logical relations.
• Break complex puzzles into smaller parts.
• Practice different types of puzzles regularly.
• Use diagrams or drawings when possible.