Let’s fire up the brain neurons this morning. Try the following simple puzzle:
- A bat and ball cost $1.10.
- The bat costs one dollar more than the ball.
- How much does the ball cost?
More than 50% of Harvard, MIT and Princeton students gave the incorrect answers. (Noted that Dad, Mom, Rachel were wrong. Eric nailed it. Mom blamed Dad for asking the question poorly which led to a argument. Mom claiming this is additional evidence that Dad has a mumbling problem. TMI.)
Go to Steve Layman’s Blog at Simple Questions. Wrong Answers. and he’ll point you to the answer.
Sources: Thank you Steve Layman for sharing puzzle. Thank you Mme Scherzo for sharing the image of three-year-old actor Christian Haupt throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball game against the San Diego Padres, on September 4, 2012.
Live & Learn 
Yes, I feel like an idiot. My response was that the ball was from Chicago.
LikeLike
Good one. 🙂
LikeLike
I got it wrong, too!! But I have a good excuse–math is not my strong suit.
LikeLike
Laughing! Good excuse Joyce.
LikeLike
Yup, I was wrong…….
LikeLike
Join the club.
LikeLike
Phew… got it right, Dave… and math is not a strong suit, just lucky I guess..! 😉
LikeLike
“Just lucky I guess.” Ms. Humble Pie. We’re watching you now Einstein.
LikeLike
Can you tell me where I can buy the bat and ball for 1.10 so I can sell them?
LikeLike
Wow Frank. There is: 1) Right. 2) Wrong. 3) Completely clueless and lost. Wonder which bucket you fall into.
LikeLike
I must be the slowest of all because I know the answer and still can’t figure it out.
LikeLike
Still laughing. The brain teaser will do that to you.
LikeLike
Yay for me. I got it right first time. 😀 I knew there was a trick, so thought carefully.
LikeLike
Wow, Sylvia. Cracked the code. No more taking you casually Ms. Modesty.
LikeLike
Fail. I am clearly overconfident and prone to place too much faith in my intuitions.
LikeLike
Welcome to a distinguished club.
LikeLike
Oh drat! I always was a dunce at mathematics D: But my son he just got it right, so luckily for him he hasn’t inherited this particular blank from me.
LikeLike
Welcome to our community Sarah. And good for your Son. Important for our kids to push ahead of us. 🙂
LikeLike
Good thing I’m not in business!
LikeLike
Glad to have you on the bus Anneli
LikeLike
Yup … I failed. And it took me awhile to figure it out even after reading the answer. Good thing I married an accountant!
LikeLike
Laughing. The bus is getting full.
LikeLike
I got it WRONG…and I’m usually good at that stuff. I’ll have to ask my super smart son and see what happens. 🙂
LikeLike
Smiling. There’s still room with us on the WRONG bus.
LikeLike
Lol!!
LikeLike
Good trick question, I knew it wasn’t a dime, but could not figure it out before I just had to ale a look and of course 5cents makes total sense 🙂
LikeLike
:). No shame. (Look at all of us but the few Rocket Scientists)
LikeLike
My husband, my son, and I all got it wrong. My husband and I got into an argument at first. He said I must have read the question wrong.
LikeLike
Hilarious. I’m sure you saw my comments above. We got into an argument too. Kristin, you must have been reading the question wrong. Husbands are mostly always right.
LikeLike
Yay. I got it right.
LikeLike
Wow. Crack photographer and now a math, logic whiz. Sky is the limit for you Maralee.
LikeLike
I got it wrong but I had a strong feeling that I am wrong 🙂
LikeLike
Laughing. Not sure exactly what you mean but it is funny.
LikeLike
I mean I guessed a number but at the same time I had a strong feeling that I am wrong :p
LikeLike
Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right!”
LikeLike
So true =)
LikeLike
Got it right! Easy.. 🙂
LikeLike
Well, of course you did. (Actually, I’m not surprised) You didn’t say how long it took you.
LikeLike
10 secs.. And of course the immediate response was a dollar, but logic set in when the math did not add up.
LikeLike
Good for you Paco. You’ve always had a knack for this…
LikeLike
Ten cents for the ball… said my brain.
LikeLike
My brain too!
LikeLike