I am thinking of a number. If you double it and then add 3, you get 17. What is my number?
Show the answer
7
Work backwards: 17 − 3 = 14, and half of 14 is 7. Check: 7 × 2 + 3 = 17.
Puzzle 2
What number comes next? 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?
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42
The gaps are +4, +6, +8, +10, so the next gap is +12: 30 + 12 = 42. (Each number is n × (n + 1): 6 × 7 = 42.)
Puzzle 3
If the day after tomorrow is Sunday, what day was it yesterday?
Show the answer
Thursday
The day after tomorrow is Sunday, so today is Friday and yesterday was Thursday.
Puzzle 4
A bike shop has only bicycles and tricycles. Together they have 12 seats and 29 wheels. How many tricycles are there?
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5
If all 12 were bicycles there would be 24 wheels. There are 5 extra wheels, and each tricycle adds 1 extra wheel, so there are 5 tricycles (and 7 bicycles).
Puzzle 5
Asha is older than Ben. Cal is younger than Ben. Dev is older than Asha. Who is the second oldest?
Show the answer
Asha
From oldest to youngest: Dev, Asha, Ben, Cal. So Asha is second oldest.
Puzzle 6
In a code, LAMP is written as MBNQ. Using the same code, how is DESK written?
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EFTL
Each letter moves one place on in the alphabet: D→E, E→F, S→T, K→L.
Puzzle 7
How many squares of any size can you find on a 3 by 3 grid of squares?
Show the answer
14
9 small squares, 4 squares made of 2 by 2, and 1 big 3 by 3 square: 9 + 4 + 1 = 14.
Puzzle 8
Which is the odd one out: oak, elm, rose, ash, pine?
Show the answer
rose
Oak, elm, ash and pine are all trees. A rose is a flower.
Puzzle 9
A clock shows exactly 3 o'clock. What is the smaller angle between the two hands, in degrees?
Show the answer
90°
The hour hand points at 3 and the minute hand at 12. That is a quarter of the way round the clock: 360° ÷ 4 = 90°.
About these tests
Twelve short brain teasers to get your thinking going. Have a go, then tap 'Show answer' to check and read how to work it out. Want more? Try our reasoning practice tests, or one of the puzzle games below.
Plan the teaching
Use these tests for practice at home or in class. Plan lessons with the free Lesson Plan Maker.
