I came across Albert's Einstein's riddle set during the 19th century. He said that 98% of the population would not be able to solve it. It seemed incredulous to me, especially where it was a riddle based on logic rather than intelligence. Giving Einstein the benefit of doubt (he's Einstein!), the analytical skills of the general population may have evolved over the decades. The ratio of population unable to solve his riddle may have significantly reduced by now.
That's my reasoning because I managed to solve the riddle (but I need paper and pen to do it) and I'm sure I'm not the 'top 2%' in intelligence. My take after trying out the riddle: It is pretty fun to work things out. I think anyone with some patience and quiet time should be able to solve it fairly easily.
If you want to try it out, don't cheat. The information provided is enough to solve the riddle without the need for assumptions. Answer is all over the internet too. I searched for it only after I have my full answer. There is a slight sense of satisfaction getting each field correct.
ARE YOU IN THE TOP 2% OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD? SOLVE THE RIDDLE AND FIND OUT.
There are no tricks, just pure logic, so good luck and don't give up.
1. In a street there are five houses, painted five different colours.
2. In each house lives a person of different nationality
3. These five homeowners each drink a different kind of beverage, smoke different brand of cigar and keep a different pet.
THE QUESTION: WHO OWNS THE FISH?
HINTS
1. The Brit lives in a red house.
2. The Swede keeps dogs as pets.
3. The Dane drinks tea.
4. The Green house is next to, and on the left of the White house.
5. The owner of the Green house drinks coffee.
6. The person who smokes Pall Mall rears birds.
7. The owner of the Yellow house smokes Dunhill.
8. The man living in the centre house drinks milk.
9. The Norwegian lives in the first house.
10. The man who smokes Blends lives next to the one who keeps cats.
11. The man who keeps horses lives next to the man who smokes Dunhill.
12. The man who smokes Blue Master drinks beer.
13. The German smokes Prince.
14. The Norwegian lives next to the blue house.
15. The man who smokes Blends has a neighbour who drinks water.
ALBERT EINSTEIN WROTE THIS RIDDLE EARLY DURING THE 19th CENTURY. HE SAID THAT 98% OF THE WORLD POPULATION WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SOLVE IT. (that's a myth of course, debunked by my friend heng-cheong leong)
Have fun.
Unlikely to have been created by Einstein during his boyhood, which bring doubt to the 2% claim. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_Puzzle
In the end of the finding process, we still need to assume that the guy, who does not own cats, dogs, horses, and birds, owns fish. He may own other pets. We can only confirm that all of them but the guy does not own fish.
ReplyDeleteI can work it out - but need a pencil and paper... and the answer is
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The German
I remember doing this problem many years ago, using pencil and paper, and getting it right after half an hour. My son, only 8 years old at the time, gets it right in half the time. Me, proud I could work it out, but much prouder son could do it. Even if it is difficult for me, at least I know I have given the skills to someone else to be able to do it, that is the joy of being a good parent! To pass on your skills to next generation is the important part.
ReplyDeleteWishing Jen a happy Mothers Day. Hope you have a lovely day with baby Albany.
ReplyDeleteThanks! That's really sweet of u :)
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