do puzzles help with problem solving

Puzzles and the Brain

Mixed research on puzzles and riddles..

Posted April 24, 2009 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

I recently Googled relevant psychology, neuroscience , aging, and education websites to get a sense of the kind of research being conducted on the relationship between puzzles and general brain functioning. I found an astronomical number of sites. I then looked up sources that I considered to be scientifically reliable ones. Much of the research in this domain turns out to be ambiguous, and certainly not as optimistic as it is claimed to be by the media.

For example, a study published in Brain and Cognition (Volume 46, 2001, pp. 95-179) showed that the elderly performed significantly poorer on the Towers of Hanoi puzzle than younger subjects. The puzzle — in case you are not familiar with it — consists of three pegs requiring solvers to move the concentric disks placed on the left peg in order from the smallest on top to the largest on the bottom to the right peg, so that at no point in the movement of the disks can a larger one rest on top of a smaller one. The direction of movement is not restricted.

Another study examining crosswords and aging published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology (Volume 128 [2]. 1999, pp. 131-164) found no evidence to suggest that crossword puzzle experience reduces age-related decline in cognition. However, in other work, one of the researchers, E. J. Meinze, found evidence to suggest that a high level of experience with crosswords in older subjects does seem to partially attenuate the negative effects of age on memory and perceptual speed tasks ( Psychology of Aging , Volume 15 [2], 2000, pp. 297-312).

So, does doing crosswords, Sudoku, logic puzzles, visual conundrums, and the like diminish the ravaging effects on mental skills by the process of aging? Does puzzle-solving enhance cognition generally?

I became interested in these questions after working with brain-damaged children in Italy in the mid-1980s (with results published in my book Cervello, lingua, ed educazione [Brain, Language, and Education], 1988). Here's what I did.

If a child was assessed as having a weak visual symbol memory, impairing how she or he spelled words or read them, I would prepare appropriate puzzle material, such as jumbled letters that the child would unscramble to construct words. If the word were "tiger," I would give the child the jumbled form "gerti" and a picture of a tiger. What surprised me was how quickly the children improved in their writing and reading skills.

However, I had no real explanation for the improvement. We know so little about the connection between brain activities and learning processes that the outcomes I was able to produce may indicate nothing more than a "co-occurrence" between an input and a brain activity, not a "correlation" between the two.

Nevertheless, from that experience, it is my cautious opinion that puzzles are beneficial to brain activity and I will attempt to explain here why I believe this is so.

Consider a simple riddle such as: "What is yours yet others use more than you do?" The riddle stumps many people because it cannot be "thought out" through straightforward "logic." The solver has to think outside the puzzle content itself and use knowledge of language, experience, and other "external mental activities" to solve it. The answer is: "Your name." Once the answer is understood, memory for it remains much more permanent because it is unexpected.

The psychologists Sternberg and Davidson argued, as far back as 1982 ( Psychology Today , Volume 16, pp. 37-44), that solving puzzles entails the ability to compare hidden information in a puzzle with information already in memory, and, more importantly, the ability to combine the information to form novel information and ideas. The thinking involved in solving puzzles can thus be characterized as a blend of imaginative association and memory. It is this blend, I would claim, that leads us to literally see the pattern or twist that a puzzle conceals. It is a kind of " clairvoyance " that typically provokes an "aha!" effect.

I should mention that some of the research I came across suggests that culture is a factor in how puzzles affect brain functioning. I'm not sure what to make of this line of research. Even though people speak different languages, puzzles seem to rise above culture-specific modes of understanding the world. The classic case-in-point is the following puzzle:

A traveler comes to a riverbank with a wolf, a goat, and a head of cabbage. He finds a boat there that can hold himself and one other. How does he get his animals and cabbage across safely? He cannot leave the goat alone with the wolf, for the wolf would eat the goat; and he cannot leave the goat alone with the cabbage, for the goat would eat it.

The traveler starts by bringing the goat across. He leaves the animal there and goes back. On the original side, he picks up the wolf (he could also pick up the cabbage), goes across, leaves the wolf on the other side, and goes back with the goat. On the original side, he leaves the goat, picks up the cabbage and goes across. He leaves the cabbage safely with the wolf and goes back to pick up the goat on the original side for his last trip across.

Now, this version comes down to us from the pen of Alcuin (c. 735-804), the English scholar, theologian, and adviser to Charlemagne. But the same puzzle is found across the world in different linguistic and cultural guises — that is, the details may change, but the structure remains the same, involving curious situations with people such as cannibals, jealous husbands, etc. All this suggests that the puzzle is culture-independent. It is part of a common human imagination . Puzzles seem to tap into a universal part of brain functioning, even though they may appear in different cultural forms. The great British puzzles Henry E. Dudeney (1857-1930) once put it as follows:

The curious propensity for propounding puzzles is not peculiar to any race or any period of history. It is simply innate, though it is always showing itself in different forms; whether the individual be a Sphinx of Egypt, a Samson of Hebrew lore, an Indian fakir, a Chinese philosopher, a mahatma of Tibet, or a European mathematician makes little difference ( The Canterbury Puzzles and Other Curious Problems , 1958, p. 12).

There is little doubt in my mind that puzzles are beneficial, ambiguous empirical findings aside. I saw this with my own eyes within my own family.

I once suggested to an ailing relative, who suffered from a serious brain-degenerative disease, to engage in crosswords and Sudoku. He had never done puzzles in his life. His doctor immediately saw a significant slowing down of the degeneration. The relative eventually died of the disease, but I am convinced that his newly-found passion for puzzles delayed his eventual loss of consciousness.

I will return to the topic of puzzle-solving in a future post. But I would really like to get your own ideas on the theme of this one, especially if you also have anecdotal evidence such as the one I mention here or else are a researcher in the field.

Marcel Danesi, Ph.D. , is a professor of semiotics and anthropology at Victoria College, University of Toronto. His books include The Puzzle Instinct and The Total Brain Workout .

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7 Surprising Ways Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain

Besides being fun, working on puzzles gives you a real mental workout..

(Ray Morgan / Shutterstock.com)

Puzzles are a great family activity or solo pastime. Whether your puzzle of choice is a 1,000-piece jigsaw, the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle, a wood brain teaser, or a 3D mechanical puzzle, doesn't really matter because all puzzles share one key element, they power your brain.

The popularity of puzzles today in the digital age is part of a very long history.

Puzzles have existed in various forms since the time of the ancient world. Riddles are mentioned in the Bible, puzzle jugs date to the 1700 BCE in Cyprus, and magic squares were introduced in China around 700 BCE.

In modern times, jigsaw puzzles were invented by John Spilsbury in 1767, crossword puzzles were first published in newspapers in 1913, and the Rubik's Cube was created in 1974.

The types and varieties of puzzles are almost endless.

We all know that puzzles are incredibly beneficial for children because of the physical and cognitive brain skills they foster but did you know that adult brains can benefit from puzzles too?

There are seven specific ways that puzzles are good for your brain. So, clear off your coffee table, sharpen your pencils and get ready to boost your mind.

1. Puzzles Exercise Both Sides of Your Brain

The two hemispheres of your brain control different functions. The left side of your brain controls analytic and logical thinking and the right-side controls creativity. When you are working on puzzles, you are engaging both sides and giving your brain a real mental workout.

(Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com)

2.  They Improve Your Memory

Working on puzzles reinforce the connections between our brain cells  – and form new ones – so they are a great way to improve short-term memory . We use memory in the process of completing a jigsaw puzzle when we remember shapes, sizes, and pieces and visualize where they fit in. Studies have shown that the growth of new brain connections that are formed to help reduce the amount of brain damage in Alzheimer's patients.

(Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com)

3. They Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

The ability to solve problems and think critically is useful in almost any life situation and puzzles help us develop these skills. Since puzzles require us to take different approaches to solve them, we learn how to work by trial and error, formulate and test theories, and how to change tracks if not successful according to USA Today .

(Su_Gus / Shutterstock.com)

4. They Improve Visual and Spatial Reasoning

You need to be able to look at individual parts of a jigsaw puzzle, or available spaces in a crossword puzzle and figure out how to fit the pieces or words into their space. If done regularly, according to USA Today, this will improve your visual and spatial reasoning skills and that translates into being a better driver and can make you a Tetris-like packer (especially when loading your car to take a college-age child to school).

(Phovoir / Shutterstock.com)

5. They Enhance Your Mood

One of the brain benefits of puzzles is that they increase the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, memory, and concentration. Dopamine is released with every success as we solve the puzzle. No wonder puzzles are so much fun!

(Yekatseryna Netuk / Shutterstock.com)

6. They Lower Your Stress Levels

Puzzles invigorate our brains, but they are also very relaxing. While we are concentrating on how to solve the puzzle, our minds are only on one task and that encourages our brains to go into a meditative state. This leads to a better mindset and better stress coping skills.

(Jack Frog / Shutterstock.com)

7. They can Improve Your IQ Score

Since puzzles can improve our memory, concentration, vocabulary, and reasoning skills it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that they also raise our IQs. A study at the University of Michigan showed that doing puzzles for at least 25 minutes a day can boost your IQ by 4 points.

(chrisdorney / Shutterstock.com)

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The life-changing magic of puzzling: Why solving jigsaw puzzles is good for your mind and body

On Nov. 5, 2020, I purchased the Raconteur Puzzle from the New York Public Library. It’s a 1,000-piece puzzle illustrated by Australian artist Ilya Milstein and depicts a colorful scene of friends gathering, drinking wine, and generally living their best lives. It was a scene I’d often found myself in with friends before the pandemic and one I was longing to re-create once it was safe to do so.

Like many people, I entered the pandemic with grand hopes and aspirations of picking up a hobby with my newfound free time. I still remember the first night my husband and I attempted to do the puzzle together—we’d bought wine, I had a Spotify dinner jazz playlist playing in the background. Fast-forward nearly two years later, and that puzzle remains unfinished.

While most people find puzzling to be peaceful, my highly ambitious (thus, 1,000-piece count) and overachieving self found the experience to be stressful and overwhelming. I had dreams of completing the puzzle over the course of a couple of days, maybe a week. But as weeks stretched into months and it came time to pack up our Chicago condo to move to Ohio, my desire to become a person who puzzles vanished with it.

Recently, however, I decided to give puzzling another go, this time as part of a virtual puzzle-and-sip hosted by the Self Care Suite featuring RVL Wellness Co , a Black-woman-owned jigsaw puzzle company. Finally I’d found my people.

As my husband prepped my cocktail (bee’s knees, thank you) and then took our daughter for a walk so I could puzzle in peace, I enjoyed the conversation we were having about our connection to puzzling. Many of the women mentioned how they’d taken up puzzling as a hobby following in the footsteps of their grandmothers and aunts. 

In fact, it’s how Brittny Horne, founder of RVL Wellness, got into puzzling.

“I started puzzling when I was a kid with my grandmother. She was the person who introduced me to them, and at some point it became this thing I associated with her,” Horne shares. “She puzzles throughout the day and has her own room dedicated to puzzling. But as I got older I didn’t really pay too much attention to puzzles.”

And then the pandemic happened. One puzzlemaker saw sales increase 370% year over year during March 2020—a trend comparable to the demand for puzzles during the Great Depression, according to puzzle historian Anne Williams. 

“It’s something you can control, whereas they felt that their lives were totally out of control as far as the economy went,” Williams told CNBC in 2020. “It’s also a challenge over which you can prevail.”

Except I have yet to prevail—my perfectionism getting in the way of completing so far two puzzles (even though this one was only 120 pieces). Nevertheless, for that hour or so we all gathered on Zoom diligently putting our puzzles together and sharing our stories of self-care, I did notice I felt calmer, and for the first time in months the stress and anxiety around my ever-growing mental to-do list seemed to dissipate as I focused on finding the next piece.

Studies have shown that jigsaw puzzles can help improve visual-spatial reasoning, short-term memory, and problem-solving skills as well as combat cognitive decline , which can reduce risk of developing dementia. There are also mental health benefits to puzzling.

As trauma therapist Olivia James told Wired in 2021, “Focusing such that your mind is occupied but not excessively challenged is incredibly helpful for people with depression, anxiety, and stress” as the activity offers “a little holiday from yourself.”

“Puzzling is a mental workout that stimulates both sides of the brain—the left, or more logical side, and your right, or more creative side,” says Horne. “It also allows us to relax our minds and enter a state of meditation . It can really help ease some of your stress and provide a sense of peace and tranquility that lowers your blood pressure and your heart rate.”

Puzzling is also a low-stakes, high-reward way to disconnect from devices and reconnect with yourself, or loved ones if you so choose. 

“It helps everything slow down and allows you to open up space in your mind to think about how you’re feeling without all of the distractions that come along with social media and the world at large,” Horne continues. “On top of that, you’re releasing dopamine into your brain, which allows you to feel pleasure and satisfaction, as well as motivation to keep going.” 

While I felt more frustrated than motivated when it came to the end of the puzzle-and-sip, I am determined to finish it—eventually. Or maybe my hunt for the perfect pandemic hobby will continue. Only time will tell.

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Doing Puzzles Can Help Solve Your Other Problems, Too

Puzzles saved my sanity during the pandemic—and I believe they can save the world.

Perhaps that sounds like a rationalization from a puzzle addict trying to justify the thousands of hours I’ve spent wrestling with crosswords, logic problems, jigsaws and other forms of delightful mental sadism.

And sure, that’s a part of it.

But after spending the last three years doing a deep dive into the science and history of puzzles, and after interviewing dozens of researchers and psychologists, I’ve come to believe it strongly: Puzzles are not a waste of time. They are not a frivolous addiction. You don’t have to feel guilty for your daily Wordle habit or for skipping the gym to go to an escape room.

On the contrary, puzzles are a crucial tool that train us how to solve life’s problems, from minor personal issues to the world crises. The little puzzles help us solve life’s big puzzles.

The secret is what I call the Puzzler Mindset. This is the mindset you need to be a good puzzle solver, and it’s a mindset that, I find, spills over into life outside of puzzles. The hallmarks of the Puzzler Mindset include being deeply curious, solution-oriented, rigorous, cognitively flexible, and good at taking other people’s perspectives.

I started that list with “curiosity” for a reason. It’s the most crucial attribute shared by almost every puzzler I’ve met. They all have an almost obsessive desire to figure stuff out, to solve problems. It’s why one puzzle-solving motto is “get curious, not furious.”

Anger is often a hindrance to puzzle-solving. I know this too well. I’ve thrown Rubik’s cube-type puzzles across the room. I’ve pounded the desk while doing devious British crosswords. But angrier you get, the less likely you are to solve the puzzle. Research shows that anger negatively affects your decision-making .

In real life, there’s plenty to be justifiably angry about and outrage can be a powerful motivating force, but when I can, I try to counterbalance my anger with curiosity. Consider one of the most exasperating real-life puzzles: Why do people have such divergent beliefs? When I’m talking to someone on the other side of the political spectrum, I try to frame the discussion as a puzzle, not a war of words. What do we really disagree on? Why do we believe what we believe? What evidence can she provide that might change my mind? And what can I provide that might change hers? It’s a mystery we can solve only by working together.

Research shows this puzzle-solving approach might be the best way to actually evolve our views. One promising technique— called deep canvassing— focuses on the participants asking the puzzling question: Why do we believe what we believe?

This brings up another advantage of the Puzzle Mindset: It brings people together.

Consider the escape rooms. These popular games can only be solved when you cooperate with teammates, each focusing on your strengths. This quote sounds like I created it to support my pro-puzzle agenda, but it’s actually from a meta-analysis of sixty-eight peer-reviewed studies by real scientists: Escape rooms “strengthen social relationships, activate team spirit, and facilitate benefits of deep learning through group discussion.”

The Harvard law professor and behavioral economist Cass Sunstein echoes this finding. He studied methods that would bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives. He found that one of the only activities that brought them together was jointly solving a crossword puzzles.

And that’s not the only evidence that the Puzzle Mindset makes us less tribal. Harvard Psychology professor Joshua Greene conducted an experiment where he gave logic puzzles to one group of people, but not the control group. He then asked the subjects questions about moral quandaries.

The subjects who did puzzles answered in a more selfless way, more likely to place the good of society over themselves or their political tribe. This is because puzzles train us to be more rigorous thinkers, less swayed by atavistic emotions. Puzzles can change the way you see the world.

With the Puzzle Mindset, you become more solution oriented. You want to fix things instead of wallowing in despair. Even the framing of a real-life problem can make a difference. If I hear about the “climate crisis,” I want to curl up into a fetal position in the corner. If I hear about the “climate puzzle,” I want to roll up my sleeves and try to solve it.

Puzzlers show amazing grit when tackling problems. One of my favorite puzzles is called Kryptos. It’s a sculpture located at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and it contains a baffling cipher of 1,800 letters that has yet to be solved, even by the CIA itself. I’m on an email list of thousands of solvers who, every day, propose another theory. Maybe the key is Dante’s inferno? Maybe it’s Druidic runes?

These people have been at it ever since Kryptos was unveiled over thirty years ago. Now that’s persistence! When I’m helping my son with math homework and I want to give up after two minutes, I try to remember my Kryptos friends.

One reason these folks haven’t given up on Kryptos is because puzzlers are okay with being wrong. The best puzzlers are always looking to disprove their hypothesis. It’s why I use a pencil when doing crosswords. If you fall in love with a wrong solution, you’ll never succeed. You need maximum cognitive flexibility.

This is, of course, lacking in so much public discourse, where we are ruled by motivated reasoning, where changing your mind is seen as a mark of shame. The best puzzlers and scientists take the opposite approach. As Nobel-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman says, “being wrong is the only way I feel sure I learned anything.”

And finally, the Puzzler Mindset encourages us to see the world from different perspectives. It’s a key strategy in solving puzzles. One of the most famous—and difficult— logic puzzles ever created centers on an island with blue-eyed, green-eyed and brown-eyed people. The only way to solve this puzzle is to adopt the perspective of the islanders. You have to switch between the perspectives of the green-eyed castaway, the brown-eyed castaway, and the blue-eyed castaway.

You have to consider what each islander knows, and—even more important—what they know the other islanders know. This type of thinking is crucial to Game Theory, and is referred to as “Common Knowledge.”

It requires you to step into another person’s shoes. Or several people’s. I’ve found this mental exercise trains me to see the world from other points of view, which is a crucial skill in these high tribal times.

The meta-puzzle is: How do we get more people to adopt the Puzzle Mindset. Well, for starters, why not do more puzzles?

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Why Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain? | Unravel the Brain Benefits of Puzzles 

Are you feeling like you need a mental boost? Dig into these puzzle-solving tips to discover why puzzles are good for your brain and how they can help improve your cognitive function.

Why Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain? | Unraveling the Benefits of Puzzles for Brain 

Are you looking for ways to sharpen your mind and keep your brain active? If so, puzzles may be the answer. 

Puzzles have a unique way of stimulating our brains to help us boost our memory and focus better on tasks. Not only are they enjoyable, but research has found that there are many other cognitive benefits associated with solving puzzles – from reducing stress levels to improving problem-solving skills. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore why puzzles are good for your brain and how they help unlock more of its potential. So if you’re ready to find out what mental challenges await, read on!

Why Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain? Benefits of Puzzles

1: Boost Your Memory

Working on puzzles strengthens brain connections and enhances mental speed, making it an effective way to improve short-term memory.

2: Elevate Your Mood

Solve puzzles to increase the production of dopamine, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, and concentration. Feel a sense of accomplishment with every success!

3: Unwind and Relax

Instead of relying on screen time before bed, choose puzzles as a better way to unwind. Experience improved relaxation, making it easier to fall asleep and truly unwind.

4: Enhance Visual and Spatial Reasoning

Exercise your visual and spatial reasoning skills by solving puzzles. Whether it’s fitting puzzle pieces together or finding words in a crossword, regular puzzle solving will sharpen your skills.

5: Find Stress Relief

Puzzles offer a meditative-like experience, helping you relieve everyday stress and find peace and tranquility. Lower your blood pressure and heart rate through the calming effects of puzzle-solving.

6: Sharpen Your Logic and Reasoning

Engage your brain with crossword puzzles, riddles, word searches, and logic problems. Activate different parts of your brain to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

7: Engage Both Sides of Your Brain for a Mental Workout 

Did you know that puzzles have the power to exercise both sides of your brain? The left side controls analytic thinking, while the right side taps into your creativity. When you immerse yourself in solving puzzles, you give your brain a real workout.

8: Develop Essential Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are invaluable in various aspects of life, and puzzles can help enhance them. As you tackle puzzles, you learn to approach problems from different angles, utilize trial and error methods, test theories, and adapt strategies for success.

9: Boost Your Intelligence Quotient (IQ)

If you’re looking to boost your IQ, puzzles are the way to go. Enhancing memory, concentration, vocabulary, and reasoning skills, provides an all-around IQ boost. 

A study conducted at the University of Michigan found that just 25 minutes of daily puzzle-solving can increase your IQ by 4 points.

10: Boost Your Productivity

Transform your office break room into a hub of productivity with puzzles, brainteasers, and other engaging toys. Not only do these activities provide a fun escape, but they also deliver significant mental benefits.

By solving puzzles, you can experience increased happiness and reduced stress levels. Moreover, these tasks compel your brain to shift its focus away from the pressures of work and everyday life. 

Taking just a few minutes to disconnect and tackle a puzzle can recharge your concentration and drive, ultimately boosting your productivity.

Embrace the numerous benefits of puzzles and enhance your overall health and well-being. Start solving today!

11: Enhancing Brain Development and Strength Throughout Life

Puzzle enthusiasts of all ages, rejoice! From kids to adults, everyone can reap the benefits of solving puzzles daily. Engaging with puzzles, puzzle toys, building blocks, LEGOs, and other shape games is a proven method for developing spatial awareness skills in children. 

Plus, it equips them with the cognitive abilities needed to excel in S.T.E.M. projects, as stated by Dr. Brian Verdine from the prestigious University of Delaware.

But that’s not all – puzzles offer more than just educational advantages. They also deliver a variety of emotional benefits and have the power to elevate moods. By providing comprehensive support to a child’s growing brain, puzzles pave the way for a promising future.

As we grow older, our brains naturally decline. However, by challenging ourselves with puzzles and problem-solving tasks, we can enhance short-term memory and potentially delay or mitigate the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Researchers suggest that starting early with puzzle-solving may even reduce the risk of cognitive disorders as we age by protecting brain cells from damage.

Reflecting on all the amazing benefits puzzles provide for your brain gives us a greater appreciation of why this is such a beneficial activity. Puzzles can help keep your mind and body healthy, and allow you to use creative problem-solving to overcome challenges in life. 

By participating in jigsaw puzzles or crosswords, or even trying something new to expand your mental capabilities, you will be one step closer to optimizing cognitive functions and having a mentally fulfilling life. 

So if you haven’t already tried it, why not pick up a puzzle today and see what wonders it might do for your mind? Who knows? You might find yourself amazed at the results.

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The Purpose of Logic Puzzles: Developing Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills (And Having Fun!)

Logic puzzles are a popular class of puzzle that challenges the mind and requires logical thinking. The grid style is the most common variety referred to as a “logic puzzle”, but logic puzzles come in various forms and there are benefits to be enjoyed by people of all ages!

The purpose of logic puzzles is to provide a mental workout and improve cognitive skills in the form of a fun, leisurely activity that can be relaxing and satisfying to complete.

Logic puzzles require the player to use reasoning and deduction to solve a problem. They are designed to test the player’s ability to think logically and critically. They are solved using a variety of techniques, including process of elimination, pattern recognition, and logical inference.

The potential benefits of solving logic puzzles are numerous, including improving memory, enhancing problem-solving skills, and reducing stress.

Types of Logic Puzzles

There are many different types of logic puzzles, each with its own unique set of rules and challenges. Some of the most popular variations include:

• Grid puzzles:  These puzzles require the solver to fill in a grid with information based on a set of clues – see our collection of logic grid puzzles if you would like to play one now!

• Sudoku:  Sudoku is an increasingly popular puzzle that could also be considered a type of grid puzzle. The objective of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column, and 3×3 sub-grid contains all the digits from 1 to 9. The puzzle begins with some numbers already filled in, and the player must use logic and deduction to fill in the rest of the grid. There are also many variations to this standard format.
• Syllogisms :  Syllogisms usually comprise of 3 statements, and the puzzle player uses logic to deduce whether the third statement is true or false.
• Brain teasers:  Brain teasers are puzzles that require the solver to use logic and critical thinking to arrive at the correct answer. They often involve math or visual puzzles.

The answer to the brain teaser can be found at the end of this article.

The Purpose of Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles are often used as a form of entertainment, but they can also serve a greater purpose – both in school children who are developing critical thinking and reasoning skills, and adults who like to improve these skills or give their brains a regular workout to ward off cognitive decline.

In this section, we will explore the benefits of solving logic puzzles and how they can help in problem-solving.

Benefits of Solving Logic Puzzles

One of the most significant benefits of solving logic puzzles is that they can help improve cognitive skills . Studies have shown that regularly engaging in activities that require critical thinking and problem-solving can help improve memory, concentration, and overall cognitive function.

Children’s development : By solving puzzles, children learn to think logically, analyze information, and make connections between different pieces of information. This helps them to develop their reasoning skills, which are important for academic success.

Preventing cognitive decline : According to a large study of over 50’s who do puzzles such as crosswords and sudokus, as reported by ScienceDaily , “researchers calculate that people who engage in word puzzles have brain function equivalent to ten years younger than their age, on tests assessing grammatical reasoning and eight years younger than their age on tests measuring short term memory.”

Another benefit of solving logic puzzles is that it can help reduce stress and anxiety . When individuals engage in activities that require their full attention, they can become more focused and present in the moment. This can help reduce stress and anxiety levels by providing a mental break from daily stressors.

Finally, solving logic puzzles can be a fun and engaging way to pass the time. As an added bonus – while some are brief and straight to the point, other logic problems have a creative and engaging back story that can be an entertaining read, immersing the reader in the world created by the writer. If the story is based on real-world facts, it can also be an opportunity to learn about a new topic.

How Logic Puzzles Help in Problem-Solving

When solving a logic puzzle, individuals must use a combination of deductive reasoning, critical thinking, and trial and error to arrive at the correct solution. These skills can be applied to real-life situations, as individuals learn to approach problems in a systematic and logical way.

Logic puzzles help in problem-solving by teaching people how to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. By analyzing the clues and information provided in a logic puzzle, individuals learn to identify patterns and relationships between different pieces of information. This helps them to develop their critical thinking skills, which are essential for solving problems in all areas of life.

Additionally, solving logic puzzles can help individuals develop their lateral thinking skills. Lateral thinking is the ability to approach problems from a different perspective and to think creatively to arrive at a solution. This type of thinking can be valuable in a variety of situations, as it allows people to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

The more logic puzzles you solve, the better you will get at them. Practice regularly to improve your skills!

Browse our collection of logic grid puzzles or first learn how to solve a logic grid puzzle .

Answer to the brain teaser: Dozens.

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Why Doing Puzzles Is A Great Activity For Brain Health

Puzzles and games are a popular way to pass the time or spend time with a loved one and bond over a shared experience. Puzzles have been around for years, first popping up historically in the 1760s when John Spilsbury, an engraver and mapmaker, created the first jigsaw puzzle (via Puzzle Warehouse ). Since then, centuries later, puzzles are still widely used in a variety of settings from early education to teach students geography, spelling, and math, to elderly individuals who are using puzzles to pass time and stay sharp. 

While puzzles come in different types and styles, such as jigsaw, crossword, Sudoku, and more, they all have a very similar impact on our brain and the way in which our neurological systems react when we work on them. Due to this, many neurologists and experts believe that doing puzzles can be a great way to keep minds sharp and fresh, as well as educate individuals (via South Mountain Memory Care).

But, just what happens to your brain when you do a puzzle and how does it impact the individual? 

Puzzles can help expand language and speaking development, among other advancements

Puzzles have several known benefits for the brain , many having to do with activity, memory, and intelligence. According to experts, when we do puzzles, our brain feels as though we are "hunting for information" (via Reader's Digest ). While not all puzzles develop new information and understanding for those who are completing them, the finality of finishing the puzzle does activate several areas of the brain. 

In addition, different puzzles do different things for our brain. The left side of our brain is the logical side, while the right side of our brain is the creative side (via Good Net ). When we do puzzles, we're often stimulating both sides of the brain, however depending on the type of puzzle, one may be more stimulated than the other. As well, certain puzzles can help foster memory receptors and problem-solving skills, which can help impact our short-term receptors. Additionally, some puzzles can help language and speaking development, like the ones used in early education. 

For those who use puzzles as a way to pass time and relax, puzzles can be an excellent way to produce serotonin and de-stress after a long day. Many find the intellectual stimulation and challenges to be soothing. Furthermore, focusing on one task can put the other, everyday stressors in our life on the back burner for the time being. So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed, grab yourself a puzzle and see where it takes you!

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A perfect match: The health benefits of jigsaw puzzles

Are you looking for a healthy distraction and escape from the world around you? Look no further than your dining room table and a jigsaw puzzle. While we are physically distancing and staying home more due to COVID-19, jigsaw puzzling is a great way to pass time. Putting a jigsaw puzzle together has many health benefits and can help reduce stress and improve memory.

Working as a healthcare practitioner can be stressful during normal times, and even more so during a pandemic. This is where self-care and finding ways to be mindful when away from work can be beneficial to your health. Mindfulness is the act of bringing conscious attention to a task in the present moment, and puzzles are a good way to practice it.

When I sit down to do my puzzle, my dog gets to relax in his “puzzle spot,” and I can leave all the stress of the world at the door while I dive into a beautiful mountain scene or a picture of cute puppies or kittens.

Puzzles are also good for the brain. Studies have shown that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The act of putting the pieces of a puzzle together requires concentration and improves short-term memory and problem solving. Using the puzzle as an exercise of the mind can spark imagination and increase both your creativity and productivity.

It can be a solitary activity or a collaborative activity with someone else.

Spending time alone with a puzzle is also a great way to unwind and reset from a busy day.  Working on a puzzle with someone can help you get away from screens and create a personal connection. Every time I visit my family in Michigan, my mom and I have a jigsaw puzzle to work on. I look forward to spending this time with her collaborating and catching up.

There is nothing more satisfying for me than putting the last piece of the puzzle in its place. It provides a sense of accomplishment. I encourage you to take this time to find a puzzle of your liking — it will be like a mini-vacation from the outside world.

-By Jill Riley, M.S.N., senior clinical operations associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine

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Benefits of Puzzles: 3 Science-Backed Benefits of Puzzling

Published: Sep 13, 2023 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

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The benefits of puzzles are surprising. The benefits of puzzling and the art of 'getting lost in the zone' are good for your brain, life, and health.

Do you know that wonderful feeling of 'getting lost' in a good puzzle?

We often classify puzzles as a lazy pleasure. However, the benefits of puzzling go beyond entertainment. Ongoing scientific evidence shows that puzzling is good for both your mind and body.

Have you been looking at your to-do list and feeling guilty about pausing to puzzle?

Consider the benefits of puzzling self-care.

Here's why you should make puzzling a part of your regular routine.

In a rush? Jump to the section of your choice or scroll to the very bottom for a quick summary of key points!

Benefits of Puzzles

Scientific research provides many reasons to make puzzling part of your day-to-day habit. Check out the health benefits of puzzling below.

1. Puzzling provides stress relief

The everyday stress of life can be overwhelming at times. Your neurobusy mind constantly racing with thoughts of work, family, and the 101 things on your to-do list for the day.

Your brain can’t effectively problem-solve 24/7. We all need periods of rest and disengagement to allow our brains to get back to peak functionality.

One of the benefits of puzzling is that it shifts your brainwaves to the jigsaw puzzle at hand, temporarily shelving those stressors.

"Puzzles are more than just a way to pass the time," Dr. Michelle McCoy Barrett , a licensed clinical psychologist, says. "Particularly during periods of high stress, becoming immersed in a puzzle can be like practicing a mindful meditation — relaxing your mind and body, decreasing stress, and even slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure."

2. Puzzles reduce anxiety

The chaos you experience throughout the day may be beyond your control, making it beneficial to puzzle.

Concentrating on organizing the pieces by color and size is calming. Feeling control of the task helps settle racing thoughts and tabling anxiety. Solving puzzles can be a great mindfulness exercise that helps redirect your attention to the present moment.

By fully immersing yourself in puzzling, your brain enters a state of flow, similar to when you’re meditating. Not only does this lower your heart rate, but it can also help stop intrusive thoughts from running in loops, promoting a sense of calm.

According to Dr. Patrick Porter, a neuroscience expert, solving jigsaw puzzles for just 30 minutes a day for eight weeks can significantly decrease anxiety levels .

3. Puzzles are good for your brain

Are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain? Yes! Studies also suggest that jigsaw puzzles can improve visual-spatial processing , problem-solving skills, short-term memory, and slow cognitive decline as we age.

One of the benefits of doing puzzles is that it engages both sides of the brain, encouraging bilateral stimulation!

The left side of your brain focuses on patterns and sequences, while the right side works holistically at completing the whole picture.

This constant back and forth leads to a complete mental workout that builds and reinforces neural connections.

This bilateral stimulation creates electrical activity in different parts of the brain and encourages better long-term communication between the two sides of the brain.

Bonus: Puzzle benefits for the neurobusy

Many neurobusy people experience chronic overwhelm and have racing thoughts, leading to emotional dysregulation.

The inter-hemisphere brain communication puzzles encourage could be key to better focus, emotional processing, and regulation for neurobusy people.

One study showed a decreased stress response in the amygdala, the area of the brain that processes fear and other emotions, following bilateral stimulation.

In other words, the benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles may be a twofold form of meditative intervention for neurobusy people.

Authentically UnBusy

Here's the part where I admit that I used to hate puzzles . Not just dislike them, I despise them.

Instead of helping my family with a puzzle, I was the Chatty Cathy dancing around the table with my anxiety and to-do list, unable to slow down.

One evening, my teen asked me to sit and work on a puzzle with her — just the two of u s. As always, I replied sweetly, "Thanks, but no thanks."

She went on with a mini-lecture about puzzles being a form of meditation. Then closed the deal with a sucker punch ... she used my own words against me; she went on with a spiel about "getting comfortable with being uncomfortable."

That night, we sat quietly together, working through the pieces.

It was magic.

And so began my love of jigsaw puzzles.

The absolute number one benefit of puzzles? Puzzles make time stand still.

The more jigsaw puzzles we worked through, the more I saw how they could help people craft an intentional and unbusy life.

There are so many unexpected benefits of puzzles.

Unexpected Benefits of Puzzling

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The constant demands of work, family, and other responsibilities can leave us chronically overwhelmed and stressed.

"Doing a jigsaw puzzle is an antidote for the constant state of overstimulation we all experience in today's chaotic world," explains Kaylin Marcotte , who uses puzzling as a form of nightly meditation.

"Setting down phones and getting away from screens to do a tactile activity that occupies your mind enough to feel attentive and present, without being too challenging or overwhelming, is the perfect balance of focus and calm," she notes.

The following benefits of puzzles for adults helps create that balance!

What are puzzles good for?

Puzzles have a variety of unexpected mental health perks you might not consciously even notice. Here are a few unexpected joys and benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles.

Puzzles are good for:

Creating A Sense of Control

Your nagging, neverending, out-of-control to-do list takes a backseat in your mind when you are puzzling. Instead, you are focused on the controllable problem right before you — the jigsaw puzzle.

With jigsaw puzzles, there are no twists and turns or sudden surprises. All of which give you a sense of control.

Unique Sensory Experience

If you are new to puzzles, you may not understand the sheer joy jigsaw people feel sorting through the pieces of a new puzzle.

Each puzzle is unique; some are matte, and some cuts are different. No two puzzles or pieces feel the same. Working through the pieces will stimulate your brain.

Puzzling is a quiet and gentle sensory experience. Working with your hands is one of many benefits of doing puzzles, it is a rewarding sensory experience.

Inspiring Introspection

Immersing yourself in completing a jigsaw masterpiece provides ample opportunities to get into a Zen state, allowing for deep introspection.

Daily meditation, in the form of puzzling, will assist in your mental well-being and health.

The Joy of Finishing

Putting in that last piece, the joy of finishing — it is so satisfying.

"It’s super gratifying for the mind, a kind of mental ASMR that’s activated by perfectly bringing something to completion," explains Le Puzz co-founders Alistair Matthews, and Michael Hunter.

"It's [also] a nice reminder that some things take time, and even things that look messy and disconnected can be solved if you take it piece by piece," adds Marcotte.

How to take advantage of the benefits of jigsaw puzzles

Juggling work, caregiving, and life may make it challenging to take time for yourself. You need to embrace the benefits of puzzles, my friend.

Imagine sifting through your puzzle pieces in a quiet, isolated part of your home. It may feel impossible, but again, even a few minutes a day has benefits.

Here are a few tips for getting started with the perks of puzzling:

• Pick a designated time for puzzling each day — perhaps a few minutes before bed or when you need help regulating between a transition.
• Gently let others know you are not to be interrupted when puzzling.
• Consider wearing noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions.
• If you've got your kids, keep a visual timer nearby so they know how long they must wait to interact with you again. *If interrupted, consider resetting your timer for the full amount again!
• Consider a jigsaw table or invest in a puzzle board with drawers that can be put away if you have limited space.

Perhaps, most importantly, pick a beautiful puzzle that is meaningful to you .

Personal Puzzling Q&A

Q: When do you usually puzzle? A: Sometimes, after a long day, I like to sit for a few minutes and sort puzzle pieces before shifting into "mom mode." It allows my brain to reset. Otherwise, I generally tend to puzzle more regularly in the evening as an alternative to screen time. It is an activity I default to more in the year's colder months.

Q: Do you puzzle alone or with your family? A: At our house, we have a puzzle sitting out that people can work on solo or together. That being said, there are definitely benefits to puzzling with people or alone. If time puzzling alone is what you need, my friend, insist on solitude.

Q: How have you made puzzling as a group a form of self-care? A: As a group of introverts, we practice "community solitude" at our house. We have an agreement that if you join another person already puzzling, there is no talking aloud. For me, puzzling also usually involves a cup of tea (or a glass of wine), some essential oils defusing, and calming music.

Q: What if you don't have the space to just leave a puzzle out all the time? A: Consider investing in a puzzle board with drawers that can be put away with limited space. On a personal note, we've also found that having a puzzle out helps keep our dining room table from becoming a clutter drop zone!

Q: What kind of puzzles do you recommend? A: We are obsessed with 1000-piece Cavallini vintage puzzles. They're high quality and beautiful. I love that there are multiple individual "wins" in each design, allowing you to feel a sense of accomplishment as you work through it. Check out this list of top recommended 1000-piece puzzles to help you unwind .

UnBusy benefits of doing puzzles

Most people looking to become unbusy are either struggling with chronic overwhelm or undergoing a life transition.

"During stressful times, things that give you a sense of control, no matter how small, have a calming effect on the mind," explains Dr. Barrett, a licensed clinical psychologist.

When you're present and focused on a puzzle, it provides a much-needed moment of peace ... a moment of unbusy. You deserve that.

Dive Deeper

Looking for other ways to become unbusy? Dive deeper with these resources.

• During periods of high stress, becoming immersed in a puzzle can be like practicing a mindful meditation — relaxing your mind and body, decreasing stress, and even slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure.
• By fully immersing yourself in puzzling, your brain enters a state of flow, which can help stop intrusive thoughts from running in loops, promoting a sense of calm.
• Puzzles are good for your brain. Studies suggest that jigsaw puzzles can improve visual-spatial processing, problem-solving skills, short-term memory, and slow cognitive decline.
• Puzzles engage both sides of the brain, encouraging bilateral stimulation. The inter-hemisphere brain communication could be key to better focus, emotional processing, and regulation for neurobusy people.
• Puzzles are great for creating a sense of control, a unique sensory experience, inspiring introspection, and experiencing the joy of finishing.
• Making time for self-care or puzzling feels impossible, but even with a few minutes a day, the benefits of puzzles can help you find unbusy.

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If You Can Solve These Puzzles, You'll Have a Head Start at Work!

Book Insight

Puzzles for Professionals

I love puzzles, and I've included lots of them in this blog. They're fun challenges, perfect for sharing, and a great way to test a range of thinking skills. But they also reveal the serious professional benefits that come from learning how to think creatively .

I was reminded of this when I read "The Creative Thinking Handbook," the new book from creativity guru Chris Griffiths. It's sprinkled with puzzles that illustrate the dos and don'ts of problem solving. Griffiths shows what a difference it can make when we develop a robust creative process – as individuals, teams and entire organizations.

Before writing, I spent 10 years as a teacher, and I often used puzzles to stretch my students' thinking. As the kids grappled with intriguing problems, they gained the confidence to take risks, to keep going, and to be creative as part of a team.

Now, after moving back into a business environment, I realize that these skills are more important in the workplace than ever. So try to match wits with me – and, in the process, see how you can start to think better, and achieve more, wherever you work.

Puzzles and Riddles

Let's start with one of my favorites. 

Puzzle 1:  If these nine dots were printed on paper, how could you link all nine by drawing just four straight lines – and without taking your pen off the page?

Have a go – it's not as easy as it looks! If you're stuck, see if someone nearby has any ideas. And try to recognize how you tackle this puzzle – because your strategies here should reveal a lot about your approach to problem solving as a whole.

In case you don't crack it, the answer to this and all my other puzzles are at the end of the blog. But try to resist the temptation to look too soon! You've got a lot to gain from stretching your thinking skills and persisting even if your first attempt fails. It's like resistance training for your brain, building strength to tackle the real-life problems that crop up every day. 

Puzzles for Learning

Puzzles get you thinking and learning in new ways. They force you to challenge the idea that there's only one way of doing things, and they train you to explore a range of options . By doing that, you develop a much richer understanding of any situation, and get your "creative juices" flowing.

You also get a taste of metacognition – "thinking about thinking." If you let them, puzzles will give you valuable insights into the way you approach problems. And the more alert you are to what's going on in your brain when you're in puzzle-solving mode, the more you'll gain, and the faster you'll grow.

Your experiences should also help others to unlock their creativity. And by leading creative-thinking teams, you can make your whole organization more exciting, more innovative, and more successful.

Avoid the Thinking Traps

In puzzles, as in life, you often learn more from your mistakes. It's particularly important to notice which styles of thinking help you to find answers, and which get in the way. In fact, many of the best puzzles are designed to tempt you into these thinking "traps."

For example:

Puzzle 2: A horse is tied to a 10-foot rope, so how does it reach the bale of hay 15 feet away? (This question tempts you to make assumptions – which are so often the enemies of creative problem-solving.)

Puzzle 3: If a plane crashes exactly on the border between France and Germany, in which country should the survivors be buried? (Many people get this one wrong by overlooking the obvious.)

Puzzle 4: Bob and Ben were born on the same day, to the same parents, but they aren't twins. How come? (You'll only solve this puzzle if you can take a seemingly impossible situation, and find a new way of looking at it.)

When the time comes to check the answers, notice any thinking traps you fell into. Think about whether you ever make the same mistakes with real-life problems!

Positive Problem-Solving Strategies

As well as avoiding the traps laid by puzzles writers, you also need to have a range of effective thinking strategies if you're going to find the answers.

Puzzles are a great way to build confidence , and strengthen persistence, open-mindedness, and flexibility. As you work out exactly what a question is asking, discard any "red herrings," and try various positive tactics until one works. In that way, you train yourself to take a strategic, energetic, and resilient approach to solving problems. 

Use some more of mine to put yourself to the test.

For each of the following questions, choose a strategy to start with. But, if that doesn't work, find a different plan of attack. See what happens when you ask friends and family for their ideas. And don't give up. Sometimes, like Sherlock Holmes playing his violin, you'll need to go away and do something else to cut loose your creativity and make the breakthrough. 

Puzzle 5 : Where in the world does Friday come before Thursday?

Just as tricky is this:

Puzzle 6: Which substance is represented by the letters HIJKLMNO?

This is fiendish:

Puzzle 7: 3, 3, 5, 4, 4, 3, 5, 5, ? What's next in this numeric code – and why?

Puzzles With Words

Our brains work through connections, and puzzles strengthen our ability to make links, see patterns, and piece things together. They also provide a rich opportunity to collaborate with other people.

Word problems are particularly good for this. When you work on a cryptic crossword with a friend, for example, you have the opportunity to explore someone else's understanding of the possibilities of language.

You find yourself looking at words and phrases in a new light, making new connections, and exploring seemingly meaningless clues from different angles. Until, suddenly, something clicks.

Here are three to try now, on your own – or, even better, in collaboration with someone sitting nearby!

Puzzle 8: Mode of transport crashed in Nepal (5) (Clue: "crashed" means that there's an anagram here.)

Puzzle 9: Singer in tunnel visit (5) (Clue: the singer's name is in "tunnel visit.")

Puzzle 10: Moscow funding? (7) (Clue: it's a word that could define "Moscow" AND "funding.")

Puzzles Boost Profits!

In education, training, and in the world of work generally, I've seen the way that puzzles can inspire a curious, playful attitude. And it spreads. It can change the way any kind of organization works for the better.

As Griffiths shows in his book, creative companies are some of the most enjoyable to work in – and among the most successful in the long term.

One reason for this is that playing around with puzzles gets you used to making mistakes. Good puzzle-solving involves free thinking and gathering a range of ideas from the whole team.

But it also requires staying focused on the question, and making sure that your solution answers it well.

Train Your Creative Brain

These days, there's no shortage of puzzles to challenge yourself with, in books, magazines and online. So take every chance you get to put your brain to work, and to share the fun with others.

Most importantly, see what happens when you put your problem-solving skills to use. You'll likely have a different outlook on real-world problems, because you'll have a range of powerful ways to solve them.

And here's one more puzzle from me to keep you practicing this creative – but concerted – approach. Why not share it with your colleagues? One person might solve it, or maybe you'll get there together.

Puzzle 11: You've put a coin inside an empty wine bottle and sealed it with a cork. How can you remove the coin without pulling the cork out of the bottle, and without damaging the bottle or the cork?

Get the Answers – by Opening Your Mind!

As "Creative Thinking Handbook" author Chris Griffiths puts it, creative thinking is about much more than "thinking outside of the box." It's about getting rid of the box altogether! And that's why I chose the puzzle at the start of this blog – because you won't solve it by staying within the confines of the grid itself.

You need to stretch some of your lines beyond its boundaries, and move into the white space outside.

When you're ready, there's a diagram below to explain the full, surprisingly simple (though sneaky!) solution.

Puzzles in a New Light

It's a great feeling when you solve a puzzle like this. But the best puzzles should keep you entertained and intrigued while you're still wrestling with them, allowing you to enjoy the process of training your creative brain.

So, see how well you get on with the ones I've set here – maybe with "The Creative Thinking Handbook" by your side! Share them to challenge your friends. And see if you notice a difference when you put your new, confident problem-solving strategies into action at work. 

" The Creative Thinking Handbook: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Problem Solving in Business ," by Chris Griffiths with Melina Costi, is published by Kogan Page.

If you're a Mind Tools Club member, you can listen to our Book Insight review .

Answers to the Puzzles

2. The other end of the rope isn't tied to anything.

3. Survivors don't need to be buried anywhere.

4. They're two of a set of triplets.

5. In a dictionary.

6. Water: "H to O"! (H 2 O)

7. 4 (As the question says, it's a "numeric" code, but it's based on the number of letters in each number word: one (3 letters), two (3), three (5), and so on. So the next number is nine, which has four letters in it.)

10. capital

11. Push the cork into the bottle.

About the Author

Jonathan was World Memory Champion and has written extensively about learning. He also spent 15 years as a BBC Radio presenter, followed by a decade as a teacher and school leader. Jonathan writes many different Mind Tools resources, as well as presenting videos and podcasts. He’s particularly proud of his articles about tackling discrimination, embracing neurodiversity, and supporting working parents. Jonathan enjoys running, crosswords, and traveling with his family. His top advice is to keep reflecting on how you feel about your work. “Life’s too short to be unhappy. If something’s not right – change it!”

24 comments on “If You Can Solve These Puzzles, You'll Have a Head Start at Work!”

I love it❤very helpful indeed? Thank you so much? God bless!

Thank you Sr Helen for that feedback. Hope you enjoy more of our resources here to help with your learning and development.

This is so interesting and thrilling. Although I could not get any correctly but am happy I tried it. Thank you

Great that you tried these puzzles Somina! I also struggled with getting the correct answers when I tried it too! 😉

In the first puzzle, why do you need to draw four lines?!! Try connecting the dots with THREE lines without lifting the pencil. It has a perfectly logical answer?

You are indeed correct and you have done brilliantly to spot another solution! I think it takes a particular kind of brain to solve these puzzles! I know I am challenged with many of them!

We are very impressed with your problem-solving skills and are grateful that you have highlighted another option to us. As a result, we're going to change the design of the puzzle, so that our solution is the only one that works.

Problem 2 is also solvable if you assume the horse is staked to a post 10 feet away, as long as the bale is on the other side of the stake. In such a setup, the horse could reach a bale *20* feet from it.

It has given complete different way of thinking, other side of coin. I could say Indirect Way of Thinking. Thank you, I will try similar way in my personal and professional life ahead.

We're glad you found this helpful, Rajesh! Different ways of thinking and looking at challenges help us to see different (and new) solutions too. Good luck!

learnt from these puzzles that need to see the problems with alternate thinking.

Great to hear Prakash that you learned something from doing these puzzles. I definitely believe that they can stretch our thinking which in turn helps us when we face situations at work.

sound exercises with solutions

Thanks, Harry, for that feedback. Puzzles certainly do stretch my thinking which in turn helps me as I approach work tasks!

Really thoughtful & motivate to think alternatively ….

Helpful in a way that one stretches his or her thinking beyond the normal view.

Help to overcome daily routine challenges.

Nice, good tips

Great post! It was very informative and helpful! You always offer fresh ideas to all readers like me.

I LOVE these puzzles! It makes us think ourside the box (no pun inended). Speaking of the box; what is the solution to the 9-dot puzzle using only 3 lines?

Hi Craig - they're great, aren't they! I have to admit I get a bit frustrated by some of them - which probably means I should practice them a bit more.

Craig, you ask what is the solution to the 9-dot puzzle using only 3 lines? The puzzle is to solve it in 4 lines, are you suggesting there's a way to do it in 3? If so I can't see it - do tell!

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How Problem-Solving Games Can Boost Your Brain

In a world that appreciates fast thinking and adaptability, problem-solving games have become an effective way to keep the mind sharp and encourage ongoing learning. From traditional puzzles to immersive escape rooms, these games challenge the mind in fun and engaging ways, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and strategic planning. 

So, how are these games effective? 

Let's delve into the science behind problem-solving games, explore the variety available, and discover how incorporating them into daily life can offer significant cognitive benefits.

The Science Behind Problem-Solving Games

Problem-solving games aren’t just fun and games. They're also a brain workout that strengthens cognitive processes crucial for daily functioning. In fact, research has shown that regular participation in problem-solving activities strengthens skills like pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and decision-making, and it can be a great way to keep the brain sharp. 

But how exactly do these games contribute to cognitive health? 

By challenging the brain to think in new and complex ways, problem-solving games stimulate neural connections , enhancing both short-term working memory and overall cognitive resilience. 

Types of Problem-Solving Games

Each type of problem-solving game has its own benefits:

Puzzles and Brain Teasers

Puzzles and brain teasers, such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles , and jigsaw puzzles require you to recognize patterns, think logically, and maintain concentration over extended periods. The act of piecing together solutions in a logical manner not only sharpens your cognitive skills but also improves your attention to detail and focus. 

Escape Rooms

Escape rooms, both in their physical and virtual forms, offer an exhilarating journey through puzzles and mysteries that demand collaboration, creativity, and time management. These experiences push you to think outside the box, communicate effectively with team members, and develop strategies under pressure. 

Strategy Games

Strategy games, like chess, challenge you to engage in complex planning, resource management, and anticipatory thinking. These games are not just about the immediate moves; they also require a vision for the future, teaching you to consider long-term consequences and strategic advantages. 

Logic and Math Games

Logic and math games are designed to strengthen your analytical thinking and numerical abilities. Through challenges that require logical deduction and mathematical problem-solving, these games strengthen your ability to process information, analyze data, and solve problems efficiently. 

Adventure and Mystery Games

Adventure and mystery games immerse players in story-driven quests and puzzles, often involving complex narratives and character interactions. These games stimulate cognitive processes by encouraging you to uncover secrets, solve mysteries, and navigate through intricate plots. 

Which type of problem-solving game is your favorite to play?

Incorporate Problem-Solving Games Into Your Daily Life With the Elevate App

Incorporating problem-solving games and other brain games into your daily routine can help you make big improvements in your critical thinking skills, so it’s easier to tackle challenges in both personal and professional aspects of your life. 

And if you’re looking for a fun and easy way to incorporate problem-solving games into your daily life, check out the Elevate app, available on iOS and Android . 

Whether it's during your morning coffee, on your commute, or as a fun break between tasks, playing Elevate’s award-winning library of 40+ brain training games can be an enjoyable and effective way to strengthen your cognitive abilities. 

So, why not make the smart choice? Incorporate the Elevate app into your daily routine and turn idle moments into opportunities for growth and improvement. It's time to elevate your cognitive abilities and make every moment count!

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• Discover 7 easy ways you can keep your mind stimulated and stay mentally active in 2024. 

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Improving Your Problem-Solving Skills  

• Discover how to improve your problem-solving skills and make logical, informed decisions.

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Problem-Solving Strategies and Obstacles

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology, field research, and data analytics.

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From deciding what to eat for dinner to considering whether it's the right time to buy a house, problem-solving is a large part of our daily lives. Learn some of the problem-solving strategies that exist and how to use them in real life, along with ways to overcome obstacles that are making it harder to resolve the issues you face.

What Is Problem-Solving?

In cognitive psychology , the term 'problem-solving' refers to the mental process that people go through to discover, analyze, and solve problems.

A problem exists when there is a goal that we want to achieve but the process by which we will achieve it is not obvious to us. Put another way, there is something that we want to occur in our life, yet we are not immediately certain how to make it happen.

Maybe you want a better relationship with your spouse or another family member but you're not sure how to improve it. Or you want to start a business but are unsure what steps to take. Problem-solving helps you figure out how to achieve these desires.

The problem-solving process involves:

• Discovery of the problem
• Deciding to tackle the issue
• Seeking to understand the problem more fully
• Researching available options or solutions
• Taking action to resolve the issue

Before problem-solving can occur, it is important to first understand the exact nature of the problem itself. If your understanding of the issue is faulty, your attempts to resolve it will also be incorrect or flawed.

Problem-Solving Mental Processes

Several mental processes are at work during problem-solving. Among them are:

• Perceptually recognizing the problem
• Representing the problem in memory
• Considering relevant information that applies to the problem
• Identifying different aspects of the problem
• Labeling and describing the problem

Problem-Solving Strategies

There are many ways to go about solving a problem. Some of these strategies might be used on their own, or you may decide to employ multiple approaches when working to figure out and fix a problem.

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that, by following certain "rules" produces a solution. Algorithms are commonly used in mathematics to solve division or multiplication problems. But they can be used in other fields as well.

In psychology, algorithms can be used to help identify individuals with a greater risk of mental health issues. For instance, research suggests that certain algorithms might help us recognize children with an elevated risk of suicide or self-harm.

One benefit of algorithms is that they guarantee an accurate answer. However, they aren't always the best approach to problem-solving, in part because detecting patterns can be incredibly time-consuming.

There are also concerns when machine learning is involved—also known as artificial intelligence (AI)—such as whether they can accurately predict human behaviors.

Heuristics are shortcut strategies that people can use to solve a problem at hand. These "rule of thumb" approaches allow you to simplify complex problems, reducing the total number of possible solutions to a more manageable set.

If you find yourself sitting in a traffic jam, for example, you may quickly consider other routes, taking one to get moving once again. When shopping for a new car, you might think back to a prior experience when negotiating got you a lower price, then employ the same tactics.

While heuristics may be helpful when facing smaller issues, major decisions shouldn't necessarily be made using a shortcut approach. Heuristics also don't guarantee an effective solution, such as when trying to drive around a traffic jam only to find yourself on an equally crowded route.

Trial and Error

A trial-and-error approach to problem-solving involves trying a number of potential solutions to a particular issue, then ruling out those that do not work. If you're not sure whether to buy a shirt in blue or green, for instance, you may try on each before deciding which one to purchase.

This can be a good strategy to use if you have a limited number of solutions available. But if there are many different choices available, narrowing down the possible options using another problem-solving technique can be helpful before attempting trial and error.

In some cases, the solution to a problem can appear as a sudden insight. You are facing an issue in a relationship or your career when, out of nowhere, the solution appears in your mind and you know exactly what to do.

Insight can occur when the problem in front of you is similar to an issue that you've dealt with in the past. Although, you may not recognize what is occurring since the underlying mental processes that lead to insight often happen outside of conscious awareness .

Research indicates that insight is most likely to occur during times when you are alone—such as when going on a walk by yourself, when you're in the shower, or when lying in bed after waking up.

How to Apply Problem-Solving Strategies in Real Life

If you're facing a problem, you can implement one or more of these strategies to find a potential solution. Here's how to use them in real life:

• Create a flow chart . If you have time, you can take advantage of the algorithm approach to problem-solving by sitting down and making a flow chart of each potential solution, its consequences, and what happens next.
• Recall your past experiences . When a problem needs to be solved fairly quickly, heuristics may be a better approach. Think back to when you faced a similar issue, then use your knowledge and experience to choose the best option possible.
• Start trying potential solutions . If your options are limited, start trying them one by one to see which solution is best for achieving your desired goal. If a particular solution doesn't work, move on to the next.
• Take some time alone . Since insight is often achieved when you're alone, carve out time to be by yourself for a while. The answer to your problem may come to you, seemingly out of the blue, if you spend some time away from others.

Obstacles to Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is not a flawless process as there are a number of obstacles that can interfere with our ability to solve a problem quickly and efficiently. These obstacles include:

• Assumptions: When dealing with a problem, people can make assumptions about the constraints and obstacles that prevent certain solutions. Thus, they may not even try some potential options.
• Functional fixedness : This term refers to the tendency to view problems only in their customary manner. Functional fixedness prevents people from fully seeing all of the different options that might be available to find a solution.
• Irrelevant or misleading information: When trying to solve a problem, it's important to distinguish between information that is relevant to the issue and irrelevant data that can lead to faulty solutions. The more complex the problem, the easier it is to focus on misleading or irrelevant information.
• Mental set: A mental set is a tendency to only use solutions that have worked in the past rather than looking for alternative ideas. A mental set can work as a heuristic, making it a useful problem-solving tool. However, mental sets can also lead to inflexibility, making it more difficult to find effective solutions.

How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

In the end, if your goal is to become a better problem-solver, it's helpful to remember that this is a process. Thus, if you want to improve your problem-solving skills, following these steps can help lead you to your solution:

• Recognize that a problem exists . If you are facing a problem, there are generally signs. For instance, if you have a mental illness , you may experience excessive fear or sadness, mood changes, and changes in sleeping or eating habits. Recognizing these signs can help you realize that an issue exists.
• Decide to solve the problem . Make a conscious decision to solve the issue at hand. Commit to yourself that you will go through the steps necessary to find a solution.
• Seek to fully understand the issue . Analyze the problem you face, looking at it from all sides. If your problem is relationship-related, for instance, ask yourself how the other person may be interpreting the issue. You might also consider how your actions might be contributing to the situation.
• Research potential options . Using the problem-solving strategies mentioned, research potential solutions. Make a list of options, then consider each one individually. What are some pros and cons of taking the available routes? What would you need to do to make them happen?
• Take action . Select the best solution possible and take action. Action is one of the steps required for change . So, go through the motions needed to resolve the issue.
• Try another option, if needed . If the solution you chose didn't work, don't give up. Either go through the problem-solving process again or simply try another option.

You can find a way to solve your problems as long as you keep working toward this goal—even if the best solution is simply to let go because no other good solution exists.

Sarathy V. Real world problem-solving .  Front Hum Neurosci . 2018;12:261. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261

Dunbar K. Problem solving . A Companion to Cognitive Science . 2017. doi:10.1002/9781405164535.ch20

Stewart SL, Celebre A, Hirdes JP, Poss JW. Risk of suicide and self-harm in kids: The development of an algorithm to identify high-risk individuals within the children's mental health system . Child Psychiat Human Develop . 2020;51:913-924. doi:10.1007/s10578-020-00968-9

Rosenbusch H, Soldner F, Evans AM, Zeelenberg M. Supervised machine learning methods in psychology: A practical introduction with annotated R code . Soc Personal Psychol Compass . 2021;15(2):e12579. doi:10.1111/spc3.12579

Mishra S. Decision-making under risk: Integrating perspectives from biology, economics, and psychology . Personal Soc Psychol Rev . 2014;18(3):280-307. doi:10.1177/1088868314530517

Csikszentmihalyi M, Sawyer K. Creative insight: The social dimension of a solitary moment . In: The Systems Model of Creativity . 2015:73-98. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-9085-7_7

Chrysikou EG, Motyka K, Nigro C, Yang SI, Thompson-Schill SL. Functional fixedness in creative thinking tasks depends on stimulus modality .  Psychol Aesthet Creat Arts . 2016;10(4):425‐435. doi:10.1037/aca0000050

Huang F, Tang S, Hu Z. Unconditional perseveration of the short-term mental set in chunk decomposition .  Front Psychol . 2018;9:2568. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02568

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Mayer RE. Thinking, problem solving, cognition, 2nd ed .

Schooler JW, Ohlsson S, Brooks K. Thoughts beyond words: When language overshadows insight. J Experiment Psychol: General . 1993;122:166-183. doi:10.1037/0096-3445.2.166

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

boosting brain power

11 reasons why puzzles are good for the brain.

• August 11, 2021

Don’t fall victim to those aging brain cells that cause cognitive decline. Puzzles are a great way to stimulate the mind and improve your memory.

Puzzles are good for the brain because they help with memory, reasoning, creativity and cognition . And, despite the health benefits, puzzles are a fun, educational way for people of all ages to socialize and get a welcome distraction.

However, many persons still think that puzzles are just for kids.

Fortunately, the health benefits of puzzles have been studied extensively. And, the findings are both intriguing and perplexing. 

That’s why I have compiled a list of 11 reasons why puzzles can improve your personal health and wellness. Let’s get started!

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Why are puzzles good for the brain?

Here’s a list of the reasons why puzzles are good for the brain.

• Keep your brain sharp.
• Boost creativity and artistic skills.
• Improve hand-eye coordination.
• Increase the mind’s ability to retain information.
• Promote abstract thinking.
• Help with neurological diseases. 
• Reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression. 
• Improve collaboration, concentration and problem-solving. 
• Boost happiness.
• Increase spatial intelligence.
• Improves brain cell communication.

Now, let’s explore these amazing benefits of puzzles in greater detail.

Here’s a 1500 pc wooden Puzzle Plateau, complete with Puzzle Storage System. It’s a gorgeous, fun way to challenge yourself and boost your cognition. 

1.Puzzles are a great way to keep your mind sharp

Puzzles stimulate brain activity and can increase your ability to focus. In fact, they can also help you fight off age-related cognitive decline and memory loss. 

To maximize the benefits, the key is to choose puzzles that will challenge your mind without being so difficult that they frustrate you.

For instance, a study involving over 19,000 participants showed that adults over the age of 50 who played crossword and jigsaw puzzles had much better brain function. More specifically, the outcomes assessed included focus, attention, memory and information processing (Brooker, 2019).

"Life is like a puzzle. Only if you fit the pieces to the right places, you will see the beauty of it." - Dave Nahar

2.Puzzles boost creativity and artistic skills

Puzzles are wonderful for both children and adults because they promote creativity and will help you to explore a variety of art forms. 

Actually, adults who puzzle can learn underlying concepts behind different types of art. In addition, puzzles are especially beneficial in stimulating creativity and imagination.

Fortunately, numerous studies have shown that creativity is linked to increased positive emotions which substantially benefit mental and psychological health. 

Also, be sure to check out my article about the  health benefits of debate and discussion

3.Puzzling can improve hand-eye coordination

The act of manipulating the puzzle pieces can help develop dexterity, hand-eye coordination and improve other motor skills. 

Moreover, puzzles as a form of physical or occupational therapy can assist people of all ages who are unable to perform certain tasks including activities that involve grasping or fine motor skills.

"When it comes to your health goal, no matter what it is, your diet is part of the largest jigsaw puzzle called "Lifestyle".-Shilpa Sheltty Kundra

4.Puzzles increase the mind’s ability to retain information

People are often surprised to hear that puzzles can help with memorization . In fact, puzzles even help you retain details about complex figures. 

Essentially, since puzzles are engaging, they facilitate active participation which help people remember more easily. Moreover, puzzles stimulate the grey matter of the brain which may help prevent brain atrophies. 

Notedly, the grey matter is associated with memory, learning and motor function. 

Further, many puzzles require you to read the clues which will eventually teach you new concepts or words that might have been completely foreign to you.

One study involving 68 students showed that crossword puzzles helped students improve their vocabulary.  In fact, the results also demonstrated an improvement in attitude and motivation towards learning among the participants (Drawiwatnakul, 2013).

"People are like puzzles, they take time and patience to understand." - Kushand Wizdom

Use this link to discover  19 easy ways to improve your brain power. 

5.Puzzles promote abstract thinking

Abstract reasoning is the ability to take something that is complex and solve it by breaking it down into smaller components.

As a matter of fact, this type of thinking is valuable in many academic and professional fields.

The classic example of abstract reasoning is a jigsaw puzzle, because the outcome itself may not be visible but the components are.

In this case, the key is not necessarily the complexity; but the challenge. Essentially, engaging in activities that are intellectually engaging require focus and patience which help prevent cognitive decline.

"Missing pieces do more than complete the puzzle, they fill in an empty place." - Luanne Rice

6.Puzzles help with neurological diseases

Puzzles can be a great way to help persons with mental and neurological diseases.

Actually, puzzles have been reported to help with Alzheimer’s disease, autism, attention-deficit disorder (ADD), depression, dementia, dyslexia and schizophrenia.

Notedly, studies have shown that puzzles were able to increase the focus levels in children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) by engaging with brain teasers in low distraction environments. 

7.Puzzles can reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression

Puzzles have been proven to aid in reducing stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms . In fact, the act of concentrating on puzzles simulates the meditation process and is  a great way to distract yourself from life’s stresses. 

Additionally, solving a puzzle is considered to be a good way to increase self-esteem and confidence which is great for your mental health.

This is due to the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel after completing a puzzling, especially if it was a bit challenging.

According to research, jigsaw puzzling improves cognition in two ways. Firstly, the cognitive demands increase brain reserve and secondly, the regulation of emotions can minimize chronic stress. On a long-term basis, this improves dementia and cognitive aging (Fissler et al., 2018).

"The nice thing about doing a crossword puzzle is, you know there is a solution." - Stephen Sondheim

Discover 16 tips for coping with difficult situations

8.Puzzles improve collaboration, concentration and problem-solving skills

Puzzles stimulate the parts of the brain responsible for divergent (uses imagination and ideas) and convergent (uses facts and logics) thinking, also known as “thinking outside the box.”  

Fortunately, this type of thinking is crucial for solving challenging problems, writing and finding creative solutions.

Actually, most puzzles work by forcing you to look at a problem in multiple ways and to shift your focus and figure out how two seemingly unrelated concepts are connected.

9.Puzzles make people happy

Puzzles are fun and are a great way to encourage social interaction. As such, puzzles can decrease negative emotions and increase life satisfaction. 

No wonder the demand and use of jigsaw puzzles surged during the pandemic!

In fact, since puzzles are positively stimulating, they have been shown to elevate the level of dopamine in the brain – which is linked to happiness. 

It appears that adults with a preference for solving puzzles may have a significantly better emotional state than people without such preferences.

Additionally, brain teasing tasks which require you to use your focus, memory, and problem-solving skills tend to improve emotional intelligence.

Read about  psychological ideas for self-care that will transform your life. 

"There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece most fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." - Deepak Chopra

10.Puzzles increase your spatial intelligence

Solving puzzles, particularly on a long term basis, will improve your spatial abilities and working memory because they require you to visualize, rotate and orient the pieces in different dimensions and judge distances between objects.

Notedly, spatial intelligence helps with navigation, STEM subjects and abstract/innovative thinking. 

11.Solving puzzles improves brain cell communication

Finally, solving puzzles boosts the flow of information in your brain, which makes it work faster.

Actually, puzzles can make you smarter by stimulating neurons to form new connections or reinforcing existing ones, thus improving the speed at which your brain cells communicate with each other.

In summary, puzzles improve focus, cognition, concentration, memory, creativity, happiness, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, spatial intelligence, abstract thinking, and helps with neurological diseases and mental health disorders etc. That’s more than enough reasons for you to really consider puzzling more often.

"The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity." - Douglas Horton

Final words on why puzzles are good for the brain

Puzzles provide a mental challenge that stimulates the brain in new ways that are important to your health and wellbeing.

In fact, the benefits of puzzling extend to people of all ages. As such, it’s time that you start incorporating some puzzle-solving into your daily life! After all, you only get one brain so be sure to treat it right.

Discover  how knowledge and action are vital for wellness.

Comment or share this blog post with friends who might also benefit from these strategies today.

Don’t forget to take a quick  quiz to assess your health knowledge!

Recommended puzzle to boost your brain power

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Related Posts

What is gaming addiction.

Gaming addiction is defined as a pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior that results in significant adverse consequences to a gamer or those around him/her.

Notably, the symptoms that characterize the disorder, as detailed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)  include impaired control over gaming (continued excessive use despite negative consequences); repetitive patterns of gaming behavior; and continuous or periodic engagement in gaming behavior.

How can I improve my intellectual health?

Intellectual wellness is the ability to think, learn and create. Essentially, it allows for creativity and innovation. Actually, some tips on how to increase your intellectual wellness include reading, writing, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, playing games, solving puzzles such as crosswords and jigsaw puzzles.

In addition, a healthy diet and getting a good night’s sleep are also recommended. Read more articles on intellectual wellness. 

References:

Brooker H, Wesnes KA, Ballard C, Hampshire A, Aarsland D, Khan Z, Stenton R, Megalogeni M, Corbett A. The relationship between the frequency of number-puzzle use and baseline cognitive function in a large online sample of adults aged 50 and over. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Jul;34(7):932-940.

Fissler, P., Küster, O. C., Laptinskaya, D., Loy, L. S., von Arnim, C., & Kolassa, I. T. (2018). Jigsaw Puzzling Taps Multiple Cognitive Abilities and Is a Potential Protective Factor for Cognitive Aging.   Frontiers in aging neuroscience ,  10 , 299.

(2) Fissler, P., Küster, O. C., Loy, L. S., Laptinskaya, D., Rosenfelder, M. J., von Arnim, C., & Kolassa, I. T. (2017). Jigsaw Puzzles As Cognitive Enrichment (PACE) – the effect of solving jigsaw puzzles on global visuospatial cognition in adults 50 years of age and older: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.  Trials ,  18 (1), 415.

Orawiwatnakul, W.. (2013). Crossword Puzzles as a Learning Tool for Vocabulary Development. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology. 11. 413-428. 10.14204/ejrep.30.1218

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The Benefits of Puzzles: Do Puzzles Actually Make You Smarter?

• Angeline Laping
• August 31, 2022

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Are you looking for an exciting evening that might boost your intelligence?

Then you want to book an escape room!

After all, as a fundamental part of human culture, the ability to think creatively in the face of challenges is in high demand.

Solving puzzles like those you might encounter in an escape room has been shown to improve your mood, adding to the already compelling evidence that these games are among the most enjoyable experiences money can buy. 

According to a study , the neurotransmitter dopamine (which controls our mood) is “released” when we solve puzzles and celebrate that “Aha!” moment. It’s no surprise that escape rooms are so popular.

But, what are puzzles good for in the grand scheme of things? Keep reading, and we’ll uncover the mysteries behind the benefits of puzzles!

7 Awesome Benefits of Puzzles for Adults

The objective of an escape room is to look for hints and solve puzzles, and this type of activity is a lot of fun for people of all ages to participate in. However, there may be more to escape rooms than just the fact that they are exciting activities. Brain health and function can see tremendous benefits from puzzles and riddle solving. 

So how are puzzles good for your brain? Here are seven benefits of doing puzzles:

1. Puzzles Give Your Brain a Complete Workout

So, how do puzzles help the brain?

Different mental processes are managed by your brain’s left and right halves. Analytical and logical thought are handled by the left side of your brain, while the right deals with creative thinking. You are giving your mind a thorough workout session as you use both sides of your brain to solve a puzzle.

2. Puzzles Make You More Attentive to Details

If you are running from a zombie apocalypse , it pays to notice minor details when putting together a puzzle. You should practice looking for the slight variations in color or shape that will allow you to see the puzzle’s bigger picture. The ability to notice and record minute details is helpful in many contexts, including the workplace. When we double-check our work by crossing our “t’s” and dotting “i’s,” our quality improves across the board.

3. Puzzle Give You Better Visual-Spatial Reasoning

To complete a puzzle, we must examine its parts and determine their proper places within the whole. Regular practice with mind games like jigsaw puzzles strengthens our capacity for abstract thought.

Now that we know that they improve our visual-spatial skills, are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain?

Putting together a puzzle is a great mental exercise that helps with focus, short-term memory, and solving problems. Scientific research indicates that engaging in mental activities like jigsaw puzzles can boost memory and spatial awareness. You can stimulate your imagination and improve productivity by treating the puzzle as a mental workout.

In addition, the same problem-solving tactics you apply to jigsaw puzzles can also be applied when you visit an escape room. Instead of playing at home, why not get out there and train your brain while experiencing the action? Solve thrilling murder mysteries, survive zombie apocalypses, and more in real-time at Paranoia Quest !”

4. Puzzles Can Boost Your IQ

Ok, so bottom line, do puzzles make you smarter?

We’ve already covered how solving a puzzle is an excellent mental workout! We can exercise and develop different parts of the brain by using them in novel ways, such as when we work through and solve puzzles.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that puzzles boost our intelligence because they force us to focus, remember, learn new words, and use logic. In fact, figuring out puzzles can increase your IQ, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan.

Increasing our originality, recall, and stress-management skills are some of the massive benefits of puzzles. If even basic puzzle-solving can improve cognitive performance, imagine what an hour in an escape room can do for your brain.

5. Puzzles Improve Problem-Solving Skills

Do puzzles help your brain solve problems?

Regarding problem-solving skills, there is nothing better than gathering a few puzzles, sitting them in front of you, and setting a time limit. An easy way to get your fix is to jump into an escape room scenario.

One reason is that you have limited time to work with, so you must contribute to the solution as efficiently and quickly as possible.

Moreover, the challenges you face in an escape room will vary from game to game, keeping you on your toes and eager to find a solution.

Since you are constantly being asked to think critically and analytically, you will see an immediate uptick in your problem-solving ability.

Once again, these are transferable puzzle-solving skills that can be put to use beyond the confines of the escape room, in this case, the workplace. You train your brain to be strategic and resilient by figuring out what a question is asking, discarding “red herrings,” and trying positive tactics until one works. You can use escape rooms to train your brain to think in new ways when the old ways don’t work. They set you up with ideal circumstances that demand you pause, readjust, and go for a second attempt as necessary.

6. Puzzle Can Help Delay Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Keeping your mind active with puzzles has benefits beyond just preventing cognitive decline in old age, such as a reduced risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientific research indicates that people with Alzheimer’s disease can slow the progression of the disease by engaging in mentally stimulating activities like solving puzzles. It helps new nerve cells develop and strengthens existing connections between existing ones.

The likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease has also been linked to the amount of time a person has been solving puzzles. So, you should incorporate puzzles into your life as soon as possible. You can start taking care of your brain at any age.

7. Puzzles Can Improve Your Mood

We’ve already touched briefly on the puzzle benefits that affect mood. Puzzle-solving has been shown to increase dopamine release in the brain. This chemical messenger controls feelings of well-being and optimism. It also impacts cognitive processes like learning, memory, focus, and drive.

Dopamine is released whenever a puzzle is solved, or a piece is correctly placed. This gives us the confidence to keep pushing ourselves. As you progress through an escape room and complete puzzles, your brain registers your success and rewards you with a surge of dopamine. Overall, one’s disposition improves as a result!

Take Puzzle Solving to the Next Level with Paranoia Quest 

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Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for Adults

Here is our list of the best problem solving games, activities and exercises for adults.

Problem solving games are activities that require players to use critical thinking skills to solve puzzles. Example activities include escape rooms, Sudoku, and murder mysteries. The purpose of these exercises is to sharpen reasoning and decision-making skills in group settings and to do team building with employees.

These activities are a subset of remote team games , found in problem solving books , and are similar to team puzzles , team building brain teasers and team riddles .

This article contains:

• team building problem solving activities for employees
• free problem solving games for adults
• virtual problem solving activities for students
• group problem solving activities
• problem solving team builders

Here we go!

List of problem solving games & activities

From word and number puzzles to role-playing games, here is a list of inexpensive and free problem solving team builders that help groups practice the art of critical thinking and compromise.

1. Espionage! (Team Favorite)

For an exciting game of social deduction, check out Espionage! This thrilling experience will put your team’s wits and instincts to the test.

Espionage! offers the following:

• a 90-minute session led by an experienced host
• undercover teams of agents and spies
• challenging puzzles, tasks, and maneuvers
• team conversations to help uncover secret identities

The best part is we will bring all the necessary game materials to your preferred location. If you are interested in boosting communication and critical-thinking skills within your team, then consider Espionage!

Learn more about Espionage!

2. Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh (Hosted)

You can turn your team into skilled detectives with Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh! In this captivating mystery, participants will locate the stolen artwork, The Bedroom .

Key features of this experience include:

• a 90-minute adventure led by a world-class host
• detailed puzzles, clues, and mysteries to unravel
• trails of evidence and hidden secrets
• group discussions to find the art

Additionally, you can include a cocktail kit to spice up your event. Through Art Heist, you will enhance your team’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills!

Learn more about Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh .

Get our free team building toolbox

• icebreaker games
• bingo cards

3. War of the Wizards (Popular)

With War of the Wizards, teams roleplay as minions of powerful wizards to vanquish forces of evil. Participants will play thrilling games and go on a quest to restore harmony to the realm!

War of the Wizards offers the following:

• a 90-minute journey guided by a distinguished host
• immersive storytelling that transports players into a magical realm
• engaging activities like world-building, role-playing games, and storytelling
• opportunities for forming alliances, facing challenges, and going on quests

Through the power of imagination and teamwork, your team can overcome tasks and participate in an epic fantasy battle. To improve communication and bonds, include War of the Wizards in your agenda!

Learn more about War of the Wizards .

Sudoku is one of the most popular free problem solving games for adults. The objective of this game is to fill each box of a 9×9 grid so that every row, column, and letter contains each number from one to nine. The puzzle makes a great team challenge. To play Sudoku on Zoom, screen share the game board. Then, turn on the annotation features. Using the add text functions, participants can fill in the numbers on the grid.

We made a starter puzzle you can use in your next meeting or virtual team bonding session:

Here are more online Sudoku puzzles .

5. Crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles are word games that ask players to fill in words based on clues. Words interconnect, and players must think critically about the surrounding words to select the right phrase for the space.

You can use an online crossword puzzle maker to create a custom puzzle. Here are a few themes you may want to consider:

• teammates’ tastes and interests
• company knowledge and history
• industry terms and trends

Or, create a miscellaneous puzzle just for fun.

We made a sample puzzle you can use for your game:

To complete puzzles during online meetings, you can use the share screen function and add text through annotations.

Or, subscribers can play the New York Times’ daily crossword puzzle virtually . Dictionary.com also offers a free daily online crossword puzzle .

Check out more vocabulary games .

6. Online Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are timed games that get groups working together to solve puzzles. Traditionally, players enter a locked room and must complete all puzzles in an hour or two to unlock the door. However, groups can also play escape rooms online.

Digital escape rooms typically come in one of two forms: in a Zoom room and led by a host, or in a choose-your-own adventure format via Google Forms or websites. To play escape rooms virtually, enter a video meeting and follow the prompts, or screen share the Google Form and work out the puzzles together.

Check out our full list of online escape rooms .

7. Murder Mysteries

Murder Mysteries are story-based games that ask players to take on the roles of suspects or detectives while trying to identify a killer. These games often involve reading lines from a script, searching for clues, and occasionally solving puzzles to get hints.

These games make participants pay attention to conversations, analyze other characters’ behavior, and search for hidden meaning in the script. Players must use their powers of observation and logic to unravel the mystery.

Check out our list of Zoom murder mystery games .

8. Treasure Hunts

Treasure hunts are scavenger hunts with intention. While virtual scavenger hunts often ask players to collect random items, treasure hunts require participants to locate clues that lead to other prompts and hints. The game typically ends with players finding a treasure or solving a mystery, sometimes both.

The treasure hunt can have a specific theme such as secret agent missions or a hunt for pirate treasure, or you can run a more general hunt. Teammates can either compete simultaneously via Zoom call, or can play the hunt on an app individually and compete to beat each other’s scores.

Check out our list of treasure hunt apps .

9. Poem or story challenge

Most team building problem solving activities for employees revolve around science, math, and logic. Poem/story challenges rely on writing skills and are sure to appeal to the language lovers on your team.

Each player receives a limited word bank to use to create a story or poem. Then, players have a few minutes to craft their pieces. Afterward, everyone reads out or screen shares their creations.

Here are a few word challenge activities you can do remotely:

• Found poems or stories : Participants make poems or stories out of words they find by visiting websites, searching emails, glancing out the window, or taking a walk or drive around the neighborhood.
• Random word generators : Teammates use a random word generator to populate a word bank, and must use each word in the poem or story.
• Poetry magnets : Group members make poems using poetry magnets. You can send poetry magnet sets to employees and assemble the verses on a cookie pan during a Zoom call. Or, teammates can play with poetry magnets online .
• Page poems: Participants receive one page of a book or magazine, and must make a poem or story by blocking out other words so only the chosen text remains visible. This activity is part storytelling, part art, since story crafters can illustrate the pages as part of the design.
• Ransom note stories or poems : Players cut out letters from magazines and must form new words to make poems and stories. Or, players can receive a mix of random letters, form words, and run the text through a ransom note generator .

These activities are suitable for teams and individual players.

10. Moral challenge

Some problems are ethical rather than factual. Moral judgment plays just as important a role in the decision-making process as technical prowess. Players can flex their moral problem-solving skills by tackling ethical dilemmas or social puzzles.

Here are some social problem solving games online:

• Moral machine
• Scruples – the game of moral dilemmas
• Morality play

To play these games, either download the apps, or pull up the website and then screen share the prompts. These games are best played when discussed as a group, because the more belief systems and opinions, the harder an issue is to resolve. These exercises provide practice for real-life conflict resolution.

You can find similar challenges on our list of online personality tests .

11. Frostbite

Frostbite is a group game that hones team leaders’ communication skills while sharpening teammates’ listening and cooperation skills. The premise behind the game is that a group of explorers gets caught in a snowstorm and must build a shelter. Frostbite has paralyzed the leaders’ hands and snow-blinded the rest of the team. The leader must give the team instructions to build a tent that can resist arctic winds.

To play Frostbite, each teammate wears a blindfold. Then, the leader gives directions. Once the structures are complete, players turn on a fan to test whether tents can withstand the wind.

Frostbite is usually an in-person game, however you can also play virtually. In the remote version of the game, teammates construct tents out of cards and tape, while the leader surveys the scene on screen.

This exercise demonstrates the challenges of leading remotely, as teams need to operate with minimal oversight or supervisor observation. Therefore, instructions need to be clear and direct to be effective.

Check out more team building games .

12. Virtual Hackathons

Hackathons are events where participants have a set amount of time to design and pitch a new product or solution. This type of event originated in the programming world and is often used to create new apps, however you can apply the game to any industry or school subject.

Virtual hackathons are online versions of the event. Teams enter the competition, then work with each other via virtual meeting software or remote work communication platforms to design the solution. At the end of the competition, teams pitch ideas to a panel of judges and a winner is decided.

To run a virtual hackathon, first announce the theme of the event and collect sign-ups. So that no teams work ahead, hint at the general idea of the issue, and only explain the precise problem when the event begins. Then, give teams anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete the project.

Discover more virtual hackathon ideas .

13. Improv games

Improv games are excellent problem solving activities. These exercises force participants to think and respond quickly to keep scenes moving in a logical and entertaining way.

Here are some good problem solving improv games:

Banned words : Performers cannot say certain words. Scene partners will conceive of situations that encourage the actors to use those words, and the actors must find alternatives, such as using synonyms or taking the scene in a new direction.

Scenes from a chat : Audience gives a suggestion for a scene, and players act the scene out. Though it’s a fictional and often ridiculous scenario, actors must react to the situation and solve the problem in order for the scene to end.

Miracle cure : Miracle cure is a quick-moving exercise that follows a simple format. One player declares, “I have a problem.” Another player responds, “I have a….[random object.]” The first player then replies, “great! I can use the [random object] to….” and describes how they will solve the problem.

Check out more problem-solving improv games .

14. Spaghetti Tower

The spaghetti tower is a classic team building game. Participants gather uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, and must construct the tallest freestanding tower.

During the in-person version, players must construct one tall freestanding tower. However, for the virtual version of the game, players construct individual towers. You can send groups to breakout rooms for the build, then reconvene in the main room for judging. Teams are judged on three main factors: number of towers, height, and uniformity.

This version of the game not only tests the structural integrity of the tower, but also consistency and quality control. This exercise teaches teams to align and collaborate remotely, and produce a consistent product even when far apart.

15. What Would You Do?

What Would You Do? is a simple situational game that challenges participants to react to different circumstances. To play this game, read prompts one by one, and then ask participants to respond with gameplans. You can use the polling or raise hand feature to vote for the best option.

Here are some problem solving scenarios for adults or kids to use in the game:

• Zombies attack and you have to find a place to hide.
• You are at the zoo and the animals escape. Which one do you try to corral back into the pen first?
• After waiting in line for hours, someone cuts in front of you last minute. The person appears to be visually and hearing impaired, and doesn’t notice your protests. An official announces that due to diminishing supply, this individual will be the last in line to be served.
• You are eating a meal with important clients and/or your partner’s parents, and you want to impress. The individuals make you a dish that does not fit within your dietary restrictions, but you do not speak the same language and cannot explain why you do not want to eat.
• An imposter has infiltrated the organization, who looks, speaks, and behaves exactly like you. How do you convince your peers that you are the original?

For similar dilemmas, check out this list of Would You Rather? questions.

16. Desert Island Survival

Desert Island Survival is a game that challenges players to prioritize. The premise is that players have been stranded on an island, and must decide what order to perform survival steps.

Here are the possible actions:

• Set up shelter
• Explore the island
• Try to signal for help
• Make weapons for self-defense
• Build a raft to escape the island
• Start a fire
• Choose a group leader
• Search for other survivors

All group members must agree on the order of the steps. Players should explain the reasoning for the order of each step while ranking the actions.

Another version of the game involves players receiving a list of 15 to 20 items, and selecting five or so to bring to the island. You can also vary the location of the game, substituting remote islands for destinations like outer space or the distant past.

17. Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure stories enable readers to determine the outcome of the story by making decisions. Each action has a consequence that takes the tale in a different direction. Participants can try to guess how the story may unfold by talking through the different choices. When completing the activity in a group setting, the majority of the team must agree on an action before moving forward in the story.

There are a few ways to facilitate these activities online:

• Play an online role playing video game
• Watch an interactive movie like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
• Read from a Choose Your Own Adventure book on Zoom
• Click through a Choose Your Own Adventure platform
• Create your own story using a Google Form

Whichever way you choose to do the exercise, you can use the screen share feature in your virtual meeting software so that listeners can more easily follow along.

18. MacGyver

MacGyver is a show where the hero escapes sticky situations by improvising tools out of unlikely materials. For example, in one episode the hero makes a telescope out of a newspaper, magnifying lens, and a watch crystal.

To play MacGyver, you can either list three to five objects participants can use, or challenge players to use items that are within arms reach.

Simply state a desired end result, such as “a way to open a locked door,” or “a getaway vehicle,” and then ask teams to explain what they will build and how they will build it. To make the activity more collaborative, you can give teams five or ten minutes in breakout rooms to strategize and design a prototype.

19. Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a roleplaying game where players pretend to be magical figures and creatures. One player serves as the dungeon master, who guides the game, while the other players pick characters and make decisions to move the story forward. Upon choosing a course of action, players roll a twenty-sided die to determine whether or not the plan succeeds. The game is story-based, the possibilities are nearly limitless, and truly creative problem solving options arise. Also, since gameplay is mostly verbal, Dungeons & Dragons is an easy activity to do over Zoom.

Here are the basic rules for Dungeons & Dragons .

20. Pandemic

Pandemic is a game that pits players against the forces of nature in a race to contain and control disease outbreaks. At the beginning of the game, each player receives a role such as containment specialist or operations expert. Participants must carry out the duties of their roles by choosing appropriate actions. Pandemic is a great game for groups because each team member has a clear part to play, and players must collaborate and work together instead of competing against each other.

To play the game online, you can use a Pandemic game app , or talk through the exercise while one attendee moves and displays pieces on the board.

Note: The subject of this game might hit too close to home for some players, considering recent history. You can find games with similar mechanics that deal with different subject matter, such as Forbidden Island.

Check out more team building board games .

21. Model UN

Model UN is one of the best virtual problem solving activities for students. This exercise casts participants in the role of international diplomats who must negotiate to solve realistic problems. Each player assumes the role of a country ambassador and must form alliances and propose solutions to solve crises.

Here are some sample Model UN scenarios:

• Human rights violation by powerful country
• Food shortage
• Disease epidemic
• Technology privacy violations
• Civil war branching into surrounding countries
• Natural disasters

Depending on the size of the group, participants either take on the part of an entire government of a country, or play a certain role within the government. To carry out the activity on Zoom, players can take turns giving speeches, message other countries privately via the chat, meet in breakout rooms to form alliances or have more intimate discussions, and use the polling feature to vote on propositions.

If politics does not resonate with your group, then you can alter the exercise by applying the same activity structure to a different theme, such as the Justice League, movie characters, business board members, or reality TV stars.

The main purpose of the exercise is to research, talk through problems, and compromise. As long as these elements are present, then the specifics of the setup do not matter.

There are many types of problem solving activities for adults. You can do online problem solving games, which require a different skill set than in-person problem solving. For instance, communication must be much clearer and more abundant when group members are far apart and unable to demonstrate or pick up physical cues.

Though many problem solving games include props and in-person elements, there are many games you can play together online. These exercises work well as educational tools as well as team bonding accelerators. Upon completion, participants are likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence. These games are also great practice for real life conflict resolution, creative thinking and team building.

Next check out this list of connection games , this collection of crime-solving games , and this post with conflict resolution games .

We also have a list of the best decision making books and a list of team building problems for work .

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FAQ: Problem solving activities

Here are common answers to questions about group problem solving activities.

What are problem solving games?

Problem solving games are challenges that ask players to think critically and use logic to overcome issues or answer riddles. Examples include sudoku, murder mysteries, and spaghetti towers. These games are also known as “problem solving exercises”, “problem and solution games” and “group problem solving activities.”

What are the best problem solving games for groups?

The best problem solving games for groups include online escape rooms, moral challenges, and improv games.

What are some good problem solving team building activities for students?

Some good problem solving activities for students include crossword puzzles, choose your own adventure stories, and model UN.

How do you play problem solving games online?

The best way to play problem solving games online is to join a video call meeting to talk through the issue. Using the screen sharing and digital whiteboard features helps participants visualize the problem more clearly. Breakout rooms give teams the chance to discuss the issue more intimately.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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How to Solve Logic Puzzles

Last Updated: October 8, 2023

This article was reviewed by Joseph Meyer . Joseph Meyer is a High School Math Teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is an educator at City Charter High School, where he has been teaching for over 7 years. Joseph is also the founder of Sandbox Math, an online learning community dedicated to helping students succeed in Algebra. His site is set apart by its focus on fostering genuine comprehension through step-by-step understanding (instead of just getting the correct final answer), enabling learners to identify and overcome misunderstandings and confidently take on any test they face. He received his MA in Physics from Case Western Reserve University and his BA in Physics from Baldwin Wallace University. This article has been viewed 295,162 times.

This article includes general advice for logical reasoning problems, as well as thorough instructions for solving the most common type of logic puzzle. This type of puzzle provides a list or paragraph of clues, then asks you a question that requires you to use the clues to answer. Many books and websites that contain these logic puzzles come with a grid to help you solve them, but this article also includes instructions for making your own.

Setting up a Grid

• Here's an example problem: Three friends named Anna, Brad, and Caroline agree to bring one dessert each to a birthday party. Each friend is wearing a different color shirt. Anna wears a blue shirt. The person who brought brownies couldn't find her red shirt today. Brad didn't bring any dessert at all, which made the person wearing a yellow shirt irritated. Which person brought the ice cream?
• The example question, like all logic puzzles of this type, asks you to match two categories together. You start out knowing the names of several people and the names of several desserts, but you don't know who brought which dessert. Using the clues in the description, you need to figure out how to match each person to a dessert until you know who brought the ice cream. There's actually a third category, shirt color, which should help you get to your answer.
• Note : skip to Using a Grid if the puzzle already comes with a grid set up. Skip to Solving Other Logic Puzzles if your puzzle does not fit this description.

• Write each list separately. When the puzzle mentions a name, add it to a list of names. When the puzzle mentions a color, add it to a separate list of colors.
• Each list should have the same number of items once you've finished. If a list is too short, reread the puzzle carefully for more items.
• Some tricky puzzles will give you hints about what someone doesn't have, such as "Brad didn't make a dessert." In this case, you should add "none" to the list of desserts, which should make it the same length as the other lists.

• For instance, let's say you have three lists. Names : Anna, Brad, Caroline; Desserts : brownies, ice cream, none; and Color of Shirts : red; blue, yellow. Write a vertical list in this order: Anna; Brad; Caroline; (draw a thick line here); brownies; ice cream; none; (draw a thick line here); red; blue; yellow.

• Once you're more familiar with this system, you can get away with not writing every list in both places. We will be using this grid to match items in the vertical list (on the left) to items in the horizontal list (at the top), and sometimes you don't need to match every item. If you've never used this method before, stick with these instructions

• If the list to the left of a section and the list above a section are the same, cross it out. You'll never need to compare the list "Anna, Brad, Caroline" to the list "Anna, Brad, Caroline" – you already know that Anna is Anna.
• Cross out duplicate sections. For instance, the section that compares "Anna, Brad, Caroline" on the left and "red, blue yellow" on the top is the same as the section that compares "red, blue, yellow" on the left and "Anna, Brad, Caroline" on the top. Cross off one of these duplicate sections so you only have one to pay attention to. It doesn't matter which you cross off.

Using a Grid to Solve a Logic Puzzle

• Occasionally, a puzzle cannot be fully solved, meaning you won't be able to fill the entire grid. You should still be able to answer the question it asks.

• If you can't find that square, search the other way around. For instance, find the row labeled "blue" and the column labeled "Anna", instead of the other way around.
• Don't start with a clue that tells you something that doesn't apply, such as "Anna doesn't wear a red shirt." While that's a useful clue that should be marked with an "X", this method will assume you started with a clue that gives positive information.

• In our example, the section that has the clue you just circled compares the names of people to the colors of their shirts. The squares we're crossing off are the combinations we've ruled out, which include Brad or Caroline wearing a blue shirt, and Anna wearing a red or yellow shirt. (Typically, the introduction will tell you that each item can only be matched to one item in each other category.)

• If your puzzle gives you clues about what doesn't match, such as "Anna doesn't wear a red shirt", you should put an X in that column. However, since you haven't found a positive match, you should not cross out any other squares.

• Brad did not bring a dessert. Put a circle in the Brad-none square.
• The person wearing a yellow shirt is not Brad. Put an X in the Brad-yellow square.

• If you're solving a puzzle from another country, look up the names to find out whether they are male or female. Puzzle books that are printed more than 20 years ago will sometimes contain names that were once female, but have now become male (or vice versa).

• The green house comes before another house, so it can't be the last one.
• The black house comes after another house, so it can't be the first one.

• Marcus can't be the one who ran the mile in 6 minutes, no one was ahead of him. Cross out the Marcus-6 square.
• Marcus can't be the one who ran in 8 minutes, because that time is less than 5 minutes behind the one before it. Cross out the Marcus-8 square.
• Either the 15 or 25 minute times would work for this clue. You'll have to wait until more squares are crossed off before you can figure out which time was Marcus's.

• Let's say you've discovered that Caroline wears a yellow shirt. Check the yellow shirt column or row for information in other sections.
• Let's say you notice on your chart that the person with a yellow shirt did not bring ice cream. Because you know that person is Caroline, you can also cross out the square that connects Caroline and ice cream.
• Check Caroline's row or column too and transfer information the same way to the yellow shirt column or row.

• If a row or column within a section has every square crossed off, or more than one square with a circle in it, there was probably a mistake made along the way and you may need to start over.

• If an inconsistency occurs, your guess must have been wrong. Go back to what the chart looked like before you made your guess, and make the opposite one. Always keep track of when you made your guess with a new copy or a different color ink so it's easy to reverse if the guess was wrong.

• If you got the answer without filling out your entire chart, you may not be able to check every clue. As long as your chart doesn't contradict the clues you can check, you are probably correct.

Answering Logical Reasoning Problems

• For example: "A cell phone has fallen down a one foot (30cm) hole. How do you retrieve it? You have a wheel of cheese, three chicken feathers, and a flute." The question is designed to get you thinking about how to use bizarre objects in a creative way, but consider each word and you'll notice the hole is shallow enough to reach down and pick up the cell phone.

• For instance, "A wind is blowing from the east, but you are facing the south side of a tree. Which way are the leaves blowing?" If you don't stop to think, you might have heard "east wind" and automatically answer "east". However, the wind is blowing from the east, so the leaves are actually blowing west.

• For timed tests, if you cannot narrow it down to exactly one answer (or however many the instructions request), you may need to take a guess and move on. Make a note on your notepaper to go back to that question at the end if you have time.

• There are many practice tests available online for free for any major standardized school exam. If you can't find your exact exam, search for practice logic tests that match your education level.

• If the question doesn't give you enough information, make an assumption or estimate and state it clearly. For instance, say "Let's say the skyscraper is 100 stories tall and has 20 windows on each story" or "First, I'll assume everyone is following the speed limit, and then I'll consider what changes if some people are traveling faster."

Community Q&A

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• For difficult puzzles, keep track of which clue you used by putting the number of the clue in your grid instead of a circle. You may need to add numbers to each sentence of the puzzle description first if the clues do not come in a numbered list. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Some people prefer to keep the duplicate sections when setting up a graph, while others dislike having to keep the same information in two places. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you have a spreadsheet program on your computer, you can set up your grid there using the border tool to outline the cells. Then, if you have to choose between two answers (see Step 13), you can simply copy and paste the entire 'solution so far' to another section of the spreadsheet to prove or disprove your guess. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://www.psychometricinstitute.com.au/Psychometric-Guide/Logical-Reasoning-test.html

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To solve logic puzzles, start by rewriting the question to eliminate any unnecessary or nonsensical information. Then, make a list of important clues, such as colors, names, and words that indicate a particular order, like “before” and “after.” If the puzzle is a multiple choice question, check each answer to see if it contradicts something in the question, or if the answer can’t be deduced from the given information. Afterwards, if you’re still stuck, reread the puzzle to see if you’ve missed any clues. To learn more, including how to solve logic puzzles using a grid, scroll down. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Do puzzle games help with problem-solving?

Better Problem-Solving Skills The ability to creatively solve problems and think critically is greatly valued in the workforce. Puzzles help us develop all of those important skills . Puzzles require us to take different approaches to try and solve a problem since there’s a lot of trial and error involved.

Are puzzles good for problem-solving skills?

They Can Improve Problem-Solving Skills

These puzzles require patience and concentration, which can help improve focus and attention span. They also require analytical thinking, as you have to figure out how the pieces fit together. The games help to improve cognitive skills, critical thinking, and logical reasoning.

What games can improve problem-solving?

Examples include sudoku, murder mysteries, and spaghetti towers. These games are also known as “problem solving exercises”, “problem and solution games” and “group problem solving activities.”

Do puzzle games improve critical thinking?

Improves IQ

Playing puzzle games and solving puzzles improve our short-term memory, reasoning, and logical thinking, which ultimately help to raise our intelligence quotient or IQ. It has been found that playing puzzle games and solving puzzles daily can help to boost IQ.

What are the benefits of puzzle activities?

Playing with puzzles has significant impacts on a child’s physical skills, developing fine motor skills through the coordination of small muscles. Children who have developed fine motor skills tend to find it easier to write, draw and learn to play instruments.

10 Fun Kiddy Riddles That Stump Most Adults

How do puzzles help with cognitive development?

Working on puzzles will teach children how to try many different options before they find the correct one. They will practice the trial and error method of finding a solution by spinning, flipping, and moving pieces until they fit perfectly. It will also help them learn about patience, persistence, and logic.

Are puzzles good for anxiety?

Of course, there’s no one cure-all for anxiety and depression. However, studies show puzzles (yes, puzzles) can actually help combat mental decline, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and even support a stronger, healthier brain.

What are the disadvantages of puzzles?

Secondly, puzzles often do not have a rigid fixation, so the picture can accidentally break if you touch it. The child may lose motivation and stop attending classes. Third, puzzle pieces are often lost, and the child cannot finish assembling the puzzle he started.

What happens if you do puzzles everyday?

Solving puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between our brain cells. It also increases the generation of new relationships. This, in turn, improves mental speed and thought processes. Puzzles are especially good for improving short-term memory.

Is puzzle solving a cognitive skill?

Puzzles have been around for centuries, and there’s a reason why they continue to be popular—they offer a number of cognitive benefits. Chief among these is the improvement of memory skills. When you work on a jigsaw puzzle, you are forced to focus on the task at hand.

How do you stimulate problem solving?

10 Exciting Ways to Improve Problem Solving Skills

• Dance Your Heart Out. …
• Work out Your Brain with Logic Puzzles or Games. …
• Get a Good Night’s Sleep. …
• Work out to Some Tunes. …
• Keep an “Idea Journal” with You. …
• Participate in Yoga. …
• Eat Some Cheerios (And Then Think About It) …
• Use Mind Maps to Help Visualize the Problem.

What are 4 effective problem solving strategies?

In general, effective problem-solving strategies include the following steps:

• Define the problem.
• Come up with alternative solutions.
• Decide on a solution.
• Implement the solution.

What games improve strategic thinking?

Chess: This classic strategy game has been around for centuries and a good reason. Chess requires players to think several steps ahead and anticipate their opponent’s moves to outmaneuver them and capture their pieces. Go: Another ancient game, Go is deceptively simple but incredibly deep.

What type of intelligence is solving puzzles?

You have high logical-mathematical intelligence if:

You enjoy solving puzzles and unravelling mysteries.

What do you call a person who likes puzzles?

A “dissectologist” is a term used to describe jigsaw puzzle solvers who consider themselves puzzle enthusiasts, and for some, professional puzzlers. It can also be applied to individuals who have a puzzle hobby and enjoy working on a jigsaw whenever there is downtime.

What skills do puzzles build?

Puzzles enable a child to develop problem-solving skills on how to place a piece in the correct space, cognitive skills through visual-spatial awareness, fine motor skills to learn how to grasp and pick up pieces through manipulation, hand/ eye coordination by placing puzzle pieces in the correct order and social …

Do puzzles help an aging brain?

Playing brain games can help to reduce and slow down the negative mental effects brought on by old age significantly, adding several more good brain years to life. Recent studies have shown that you only need five minutes per day on brain boosting puzzles or games in order to significantly increase mental wellbeing.

Do puzzles boost IQ?

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the other benefits of puzzles is that they help raise our IQ (intelligence quotient). One researcher from the University of Michigan even found that adults could boost their IQ by four points after spending 25 minutes a day playing puzzle games.

What are the pros and cons of puzzle games?

Jigsaw puzzles can be a fun and enjoyable form of entertainment that provide several benefits, including relaxation, brain stimulation, and social interaction. However, they also have several drawbacks, including limited durability, limited complexity, and space requirements.

Why are puzzles so addictive?

Your brain doesn’t only release dopamine when you complete a puzzle — it also releases dozens of little doses of dopamine along the way. This mood-boosting ability, along with several other benefits, is what makes jigsaw puzzles so addictive and keeps millions of people hooked.

What is considered a difficult puzzle?

Modern Tricky Puzzles

The puzzles in this category are considered tricky and difficult because they have one single pattern/color across the whole puzzle, or there are solid color sections that are difficult to solve. The most typical themes you’ll see in this range are nature puzzles and space puzzles.

Do puzzles help with ADHD?

Puzzles are much more than mere sources of entertainment; they have the power to positively impact the lives of individuals with ADHD. Individuals with ADHD can experience improved focus, enhanced cognitive abilities, and a greater sense of well-being.

Do puzzles help depression?

We believe the sense of accomplishment, distraction from negative thoughts and the relaxing effect of doing a puzzle could help people who struggle with depression. If you’re looking for a way to boost your mental wellbeing, doing jigsaw puzzles is a great option.

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The 3-body problem is real, and it’s really unsolvable

Oh god don’t make me explain math

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Everybody seems to be talking about 3 Body Problem , the new Netflix series based on Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past book trilogy . Fewer people are talking about the two series’ namesake: The unsolvable physics problem of the same name.

This makes sense, because it’s confusing . In physics, the three-body problem attempts to find a way to predict the movements of three objects whose gravity interacts with each of the others — like three stars that are close together in space. Sounds simple enough, right? Yet I myself recently pulled up the Wikipedia article on the three-body problem and closed the tab in the same manner that a person might stagger away from a bright light. Apparently the Earth, sun, and moon are a three-body system? Are you telling me we don’t know how the moon moves ? Scientists have published multiple solutions for the three-body problem? Are you telling me Cixin Liu’s books are out of date?

All I’d wanted to know was why the problem was considered unsolvable, and now memories of my one semester of high school physics were swimming before my eyes like so many glowing doom numbers. However, despite my pains, I have readied several ways that we non-physicists can be confident that the three-body problem is, in fact, unsolvable.

Reason 1: This is a special definition of ‘unsolvable’

The three-body problem is extra confusing, because scientists are seemingly constantly finding new solutions to the three-body problem! They just don’t mean a one-solution-for-all solution. Such a formula does exist for a two-body system, and apparently Isaac Newton figured it out in 1687 . But systems with more than two bodies are, according to physicists, too chaotic (i.e., not in the sense of a child’s messy bedroom, but in the sense of “chaos theory”) to be corralled by a single solution.

When physicists say they have a new solution to the three-body problem, they mean that they’ve found a specific solution for three-body systems that have certain theoretical parameters. Don’t ask me to explain those parameters, because they’re all things like “the three masses are collinear at each instant” or “a zero angular momentum solution with three equal masses moving around a figure-eight shape.” But basically: By narrowing the focus of the problem to certain arrangements of three-body systems, physicists have been able to derive formulas that predict the movements of some of them, like in our solar system. The mass of the Earth and the sun create a “ restricted three-body problem ,” where a less-big body (in this case, the moon) moves under the influence of two massive ones (the Earth and the sun).

What physicists mean when they say the three-body problem has no solution is simply that there isn’t a one-formula-fits-all solution to every way that the gravity of three objects might cause those objects to move — which is exactly what Three-Body Problem bases its whole premise on.

Reason 2: 3 Body Problem picked an unsolved three-body system on purpose

Henri Poincaré’s research into a general solution to the three-body problem formed the basis of what would become known as chaos theory (you might know it from its co-starring role in Jurassic Park ). And 3 Body Problem itself isn’t about any old three-body system. It’s specifically about an extremely chaotic three-body system, the exact kind of arrangement of bodies that Poincaré was focused on when he showed that the problem is “unsolvable.”

[ Ed. note: The rest of this section includes some spoilers for 3 Body Problem .]

In both Liu’s books and Netflix’s 3 Body Problem , humanity faces an invasion by aliens (called Trisolarans in the English translation of the books, and San-Ti in the TV series) whose home solar system features three suns in a chaotic three-body relationship. It is a world where, unlike ours, the heavens are fundamentally unpredictable. Periods of icy cold give way to searing heat that give way to swings in gravity that turn into temporary reprieves that can never be trusted. The unpredictable nature of the San-Ti environment is the source of every detail of their physicality, their philosophy, and their desire to claim Earth for their own.

In other words, 3 Body Problem ’s three-body problem is unsolvable because Liu wanted to write a story with an unsolvable three-body system, so he chose one of the three-body systems for which we have not discovered a solution, and might never.

Reason 3: Scientists are still working on the three-body problem

Perhaps the best reason I can give you to believe that the three-body problem is real, and is really unsolvable, is that some scientists published a whole set of new solutions for specific three-body systems very recently .

If physicists are still working on the three-body problem, we can safely assume that it has not been solved. Scientists, after all, are the real experts. And I am definitely not.

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Today's Wordle Hints & Answer - March 24, 2024 (Puzzle #1009)

M arch 24’s Wordle is not the hardest puzzle to solve, as it is a very common item in our bathrooms. While the word does have two vowels, finding their correct positions should not be challenging. But if your players don’t use any hints and start today’s Wordle with random guesses, they might run out of attempts quickly and lose their daily streak.

Using Wordle ’s hard mode is another way to solve answers that could be slightly tricky. This mode doesn’t let players use confirmed letters in different spots , preventing them from using random guesses and preserving their attempts. Veterans often use the mode it, which is an excellent tool for developing new strategies. You can also use this mode in tandem with some starting words that will give you a slight edge over the competition.

10 Wordle Strategies To Keep Your Streak Alive

Best starting words for today’s wordle answer, three starting words to help you solve wordle.

If you don’t want to use hints yet but want to have a great start on today’s Wordle answer, you can use some starting words that will give you ample information. These words might share consonants, vowels, or even the same letters as the answer , which can be highly advantageous during your first few attempts.

The three starting words can be classified into three difficulties: one will be fairly easy to follow up with an attempt, while the other will pose a challenge for players who won’t want any help. Here are three starting words you can use for today’s Wordle answer.

If you like to use your best starting words and combos for today’s Wordle answer, they might work if they share enough attributes. However, the starting words below are hand-picked for solving today’s Wordle answer.

Challenging Start Word For Today's Wordle

• Shares no consonants with today's answer.
• Shares one vowel with today's answer.
• Two letters are in the correct position for today's answer.

Medium Start Word For Today's Wordle

Easy start word for today's wordle.

• Shares one consonant with today's answer.
• Shares two vowels with today's answer.
• Four letters are in the correct position for today's answer.

If you need some tips to solve most Wordle questions, check out this video by BuzzFeedPlayer player on YouTube.

Save Your Wordle Streak: Hints For Today's Wordle Answer

March 24 #1009.

If you want to solve today’s Wordle answer without cheating, you can use some hints that might give you a fair idea about the answer. These hints do not give the answer away but should be enough so that you can solve the answer in a few attempts. The clues are akin to hints seen in other games and only describe the answer instead of giving too much information. Here are four hints that should be able to help you solve March 24’s Wordle answer:

5 Letter Words Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Today's wordle answer.

If you are on your very last attempt and don’t want to risk your streak, you can use the actual answer to solve today’s Wordle answer . But if you used one or all of our suggested starting words, you would have been able to find the correct positions of all five letters and solve the answer on your fourth attempt.

March 24’s Wordle answer is TOWEL .

Other Games Like Wordle

If you are in need of playing more games like Wordle , you can check out some of the recommendations listed below. These games share quite a bit with Wordle , as they might use some of the same mechanics or have a twist to keep things more challenging. Here are four more games you can play on your next break.

Video Credit: BuzzFeedPlayer/YouTube

Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, iOS, Android

Released October 1, 2021

Developer(s) Josh Wardle

Publisher(s) The New York Times Company, Josh Wardle

Genre(s) Puzzle

All Interactive Maps and Locations

• Sphinx Riddle Solutions and Locations

The sphinx is a rare creature in Dragon’s Dogma 2, and, as you’d expect, it has a few riddles for you to solve. This guide will help you find the sphinx and answer its convoluted questions correctly to earn several amazing rewards. Here are the sphinx’s location and riddle solutions in Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Where to Find the Sphinx

The sphinx can be found at the Mountain Shrine in northwest Vermund. Make your way through the Ancient Battleground to find the Worldsend Cavern. The cavern entrance is at the back of the castle behind a cyclops. You can ignore the cyclops and drake fighting in the field below.

Climb the nearby ladder after defeating the cyclops to find a path through the destroyed castle wall. The cavern entrance is much easier to see during the daytime, as there are zero light sources near the mouth of the cavern.

Continue through the linear Ancient Ruins and Shrine Corridor to reach the Mountain Shrine where the sphinx is located. Walk up the stairs once you exit the Shrine Corridor and you’ll find the sphinx waiting there. A conversation will automatically start as soon as you climb the stairs in front of the sphinx.

Sphinx Riddle Solutions at Mountain Shrine

The Sphinx asks five riddles in total at this shrine before moving on to the next one. Here are the riddles and answers for the conversation at the Mountain Shrine:

Where to Find the Second Sphinx Shrine

The sphinx will fly away after you solve all five riddles listed above, so you’ll need to find its next shrine to continue this questline. This time, the sphinx is waiting for you at the Frontier Shrine, and thankfully, this spot is much easier to find.

Go to the Checkpoint Rest Town and walk along the dried up ravine that runs underneath the town’s main entrance. You can see the path drawn lightly on the map above, and we’ve provided a clearer picture of where you should be in the screenshot below. You can see the town and the path that leads down, below it.

Eventually, the path leads you to a foggy area where you need to defeat a chimera and other large monsters to reach the sphinx. Once the area is clear, look for this large pillar and walk underneath it to find the Frontier Shrine. Be sure to open up the chests in the area before proceeding, too.

This is a much easier shrine to reach, but it’s important to drop a portable Portcrystal at the Frontier Shrine to help with the upcoming riddles – just like last time.

Sphinx Riddle Solutions at Frontier Shrine

There are five more riddles to solve at the Frontier Shrine, but as a word of warning – remember to switch to the Archer vocation before solving the final riddle. You need to use the Unmaking Arrow on the sphinx after solving the fifth riddle here.

How to Open the Sphinx’s Gold Chest

Even if you solve every single riddle asked, the sphinx won’t unlock the large, golden chest. The trick here – and perhaps the toughest riddle – is to defeat the sphinx in combat. You can buy a second Unmaking Arrow from the Dragonforged in Battahl to give yourself two chances here.

The game saves right after you shoot the arrow, so steady your aim. If you hit your shot, the sphinx will congratulate you and drop the Key of Sagacity . The contents of the gold chest are now yours to take. Inside, you’ll find the Eternal Wakestone , which revives all NPCs at once.

This is the only item that can save your playthrough from a ton of failed quests if you happen to let a pawn’s Dragonsplague reach the absolute limit.

Up Next: The Dragonforged

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• Side Quests
• Boss Guides

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