What is the 6th number in this math sequence? 1, 2, 6, 42, 1806, ____ ??? It is said that engineers take 3 minutes to solve this, architects 3 hours and doctors 6 hours, physical therapists 20 minutes, yoga instructors 5 minutes, retired folks, 14 minutes, pharmacists 4 minutes, fraud investigators 18 minutes, owners of dogs 10 minutes, University Doctors 6 minutes. Click here to see the answer - and you can also color the drawing!. (NOTE: You must have FLASH PLAYER on your computer to read the page)
Brain-teasers like the one above can be both fun and frustrating, but also very useful. Brain-teasers are often used by teachers to aid in the classroom and to stimulate young minds. They are also used by doctors who work with patients suffering from neurological disorders. And, it is a proven fact that elderly people who enjoy solving puzzles tend to remain more mentally active as they grow old.
Sometimes brain-teasers can help determine a person's profession. The ability to crack codes and secret messages or to program encryption of data is needed more and more these days. Data protection in this world of online trade has become a very high priority for banks, governments and private citizens. If you are good at this sort of thing, you have a better chance of getting a job in today's growing online security industry. So, if you are computer savvy and enjoy math riddles, you may have a future in data security!
Some brain-teasers are based on other skills such as the ability to make quick associations between general knowledge and simple logic. Here an example. It is a question that was used in an SAT test (Scholastic Aptitude Test) for California high schools back in the 60's:
A man leaves his house and walks 1 kilometer directly South. He then turns and walks 1 kilometer directly West. The man then turns again and walks 1 kilometer directly North and arrives back at his own front door. A bear walks by in the distance. What color is the bear? Click here to see the answer - and you can also color the drawing!
Here's a variation on that same problem: A man left home running. He ran a ways and then turned left, ran the same distance and turned left again, ran the same distance and turned left again. When he got home there were two masked men. Who were they? Click here to see the answer - and you can also color the drawing!
Our intelligence is usually measured by what is called an IQ test. The IQ stands for Intelligence Quotient and is a mathematical number or a score given for several standardized intelligence tests. The first of these was developed by French psychologist Alfred Binet in 1905. But not all forms of intelligence can be measured by an IQ test. An IQ test is primarily used to measure mathematical and spatial reasoning, logical ability, and language understanding. A person who lives in or comes from a society where verbal language is not a strong feature will score low on a standard IQ test. Likewise, a person who comes from a culture which has had little exposure to technology may be a brilliant tracker and know every plant and flower in the forest and its medicinal uses, but would score very badly on a normal IQ test.
An IQ test does not measure things like life experience, wisdom, or personal qualities. Results are also affected by nutrition and a person can actually train themselves to be good at taking such tests. IQ test scores are based on a bell shaped curve and the average score is 100 - above that you are brighter tan average, below 100 you are below average. Here's how the scores break down for the general population: 80-90 (below average); 90-110 (average intelligence); 111-121 (above average); 122-130 (highly intelligent); 131-141 (gifted); 142+ (genius - top 1%). How smart do you think you are?
Find out if you have a normal or above average IQ. At this link you will find a good online IQ test that is professionally designed for children ages 6-16 years old and takes about 40-60 minutes to complete. Click here to take the online IQ test