Problem of the Week

A riddle problem is a question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning, typically presented as a game. Below is a list of the past problem of the week riddles in descending chronological order.

What's The Next Number?

POW: 06-17-2024

What is the next number in the sequence? 2, 3, 5, 9, 17, _

Answer: 33. The pattern: Double the previous number and subtract 1.

Two Numbers Riddle

POW: 06-10-2024

Take two numbers, such that the square of the first, plus the square of the second, shall equal 8; while the first, plus the product of the first and second, shall equal 6. What are the two numbers?

Answer: 2 and 2.

If Five Cats Catch Five Mice In Five Minutes Riddle

POW: 06-03-2024

If 5 cats catch 5 mice in 5 minutes, how long will it take one cat to catch a mouse?

Answer: Five minutes.

Advance Half The Distance?

POW: 05-27-2024

If you're 8 feet away from a door and with each move you advance half the distance to the door. How many moves will it take to reach the door?

Answer: Infinity! Technically you will never reach the door, as you can only move half the distance, no matter how small.

How Much Will A 38° Angle Measure When Looked At Under A Microscope

POW: 05-20-2024

How much will a 38° angle measure when looked at under a microscope that magnifies ten times?

Answer: It will still be 38°.

What Has A Foot On Each Side And One In The Middle

POW: 05-13-2024

What has a foot on each side and one in the middle?

Answer: A yardstick.

Jelly Beans And Licorice Sticks

POW: 05-06-2024

If 10 bags of jelly beans and 6 licorice sticks cost $1, and 10 licorice sticks and 6 jelly bean bags cost 92 cents. How much does one licorice stick cost?

Answer: 5 cents while Jelly bean bags cost 7 cents.

How Many Plums?

POW: 04-29-2024

A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?

Answer: None. A pear tree does not bear plums.

You Want To Boil A Two-minute Egg. If You Only Have A Three-minute Timer

POW: 04-22-2024

You want to boil a two-minute egg. If you only have a three-minute timer (hourglass), a four-minute timer, and a five-minute timer, how can you boil the egg for only two minutes?

Answer: Once the water is boiling, turn the three-minute timer and five-minute timer over. When the three-minute timer runs out, put the egg in the boiling water. When the five-minute timer runs out, two minutes have elapsed and it is time to take the egg out of the water. You don't need the four-minute timer for this riddle.