The Easiest Brain Teaser You Might Get Wrong

This brain teaser is deceptively simple. It’s designed to make you think critically about a simple math problem, challenging your problem-solving skills and potentially tripping you up with a common misconception. Here’s the puzzle:

A chicken and an egg cost $1.06 in total. The chicken costs $1.00 more than the egg. How much does the egg cost?

Take a moment to try and solve it before we reveal the answer.

The Misleading Solution

Many people jump to the conclusion that the egg costs $0.03. After all, if the chicken is $1.00 more, and the total is $1.06, then subtracting $1.00 leaves $0.06 for the egg. Right?

Wrong! That’s where the trick lies.

The Correct Solution

Let’s break it down:

• Let ‘x’ represent the cost of the egg.
• The chicken costs $1.00 more, so it costs ‘x + $1.00’.
• The total cost is $1.06, meaning x + (x + $1.00) = $1.06

Simplifying the equation:

• 2x + $1.00 = $1.06
• 2x = $0.06
• x = $0.03

Therefore, the egg actually costs $0.03.

Why the Misconception?

The brain teaser plays on our tendency to jump to quick conclusions. We instinctively focus on the difference in price ($1.00) and the total cost ($1.06), leading us to an incorrect calculation.

Key Takeaways

This brain teaser highlights the importance of:

• Careful Reading: Pay close attention to the wording of the problem to avoid falling for misleading clues.
• Logical Reasoning: Break down the problem into smaller steps to ensure your solution is accurate.
• Double-Checking: Always review your answer to make sure it makes sense within the context of the problem.

Next time you encounter a seemingly simple puzzle, take a deep breath, analyze the information carefully, and don’t be afraid to question your initial instincts. You might just surprise yourself with your problem-solving skills!