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.
Yes, I feel like an idiot. My response was that the ball was from Chicago.
Good one. 🙂
I got it wrong, too!! But I have a good excuse–math is not my strong suit.
Laughing! Good excuse Joyce.
Yup, I was wrong…….
Join the club.
Phew… got it right, Dave… and math is not a strong suit, just lucky I guess..! 😉
“Just lucky I guess.” Ms. Humble Pie. We’re watching you now Einstein.
Can you tell me where I can buy the bat and ball for 1.10 so I can sell them?
Wow Frank. There is: 1) Right. 2) Wrong. 3) Completely clueless and lost. Wonder which bucket you fall into.
I must be the slowest of all because I know the answer and still can’t figure it out.
Still laughing. The brain teaser will do that to you.
Yay for me. I got it right first time. 😀 I knew there was a trick, so thought carefully.
Wow, Sylvia. Cracked the code. No more taking you casually Ms. Modesty.
Fail. I am clearly overconfident and prone to place too much faith in my intuitions.
Welcome to a distinguished club.
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.
Welcome to our community Sarah. And good for your Son. Important for our kids to push ahead of us. 🙂
Good thing I’m not in business!
Glad to have you on the bus Anneli
Yup … I failed. And it took me awhile to figure it out even after reading the answer. Good thing I married an accountant!
Laughing. The bus is getting full.
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. 🙂
Smiling. There’s still room with us on the WRONG bus.
Lol!!
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 🙂
:). No shame. (Look at all of us but the few Rocket Scientists)
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.
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.
Yay. I got it right.
Wow. Crack photographer and now a math, logic whiz. Sky is the limit for you Maralee.
I got it wrong but I had a strong feeling that I am wrong 🙂
Laughing. Not sure exactly what you mean but it is funny.
I mean I guessed a number but at the same time I had a strong feeling that I am wrong :p
Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right!”
So true =)
Got it right! Easy.. 🙂
Well, of course you did. (Actually, I’m not surprised) You didn’t say how long it took you.
10 secs.. And of course the immediate response was a dollar, but logic set in when the math did not add up.
Good for you Paco. You’ve always had a knack for this…
Ten cents for the ball… said my brain.
My brain too!