You’ll curse yourself when you realise just how simple this baffling brainteaser really is. Reckon you’ve got a laser sharp mind? Think you can solve the most cryptic puzzle while remaining calm under a tight time pressure? If you humbly answered yes to both of those questions, this is the perfect question for you. Featured on Popular Mechanics, this royal-themed riddle has left swathes of Brits scratching their heads. In fact, only those with the IQ o a genius will be able to solve this one in just seven seconds or less. Still up or the challenge? Brainteasers like this are a great way to entertain the kids when they’re off school due to the snow and simply won’t stop pestering you. However, research has also shown they can provide cognitive improvements such as better attention span and concentration levels.
“King Nupe of the kingdom Catan dotes on his two daughters so much that he decides the kingdom would be better off with more girls than boys, and he makes the following decree: All child-bearing couples must continue to bear children until they have a daughter!” the riddle reads. “But to avoid overpopulation, he makes an additional decree: All child-bearing couples will stop having children once they have a daughter! His subjects immediately begin following his orders. After many years, what’s the expected ratio of girls to boys in Catan?”
You’re not going any help with this one, and remember – there’s only seven seconds for you to give your final answer. Once you inevitably admit defeat, you can scroll down to the bottom of the article to find the answer.
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If you didn’t even break a sweat when solving that regal puzzle, it’s time to ramp things up a notch. This fiendish riddle was featured on ITV’s 1% Club and was so hard even the finalist got it wrong – meaning you’ll need to be a proper boffin to get this right. As per the game show’s rules, you only have 30 seconds to lock in your answer, otherwise you’d be knocked out of the show.
“What is the first number that when spelled out has its letters in alphabetical order?” the riddle reads. Think you’ve cracked it, or are you surrendering already? Check your answer here.
ANSWER: 1:1, as the chance of having a boy is the exact same of having a girl (50 per cent). Yes, it really is that simple. We never said you had to overcomplicate things. Up for yet another mental workout? Check out our entire collection of tricky brainteasers, riddles, and puzzles here – or, learn more about your hidden personality traits with these mind-boggling optical illusions.
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